Pittsburgh Power Moves: Coherent appoints new CEO and shares soar 20%

Major companies in Pittsburgh hired, fired and poached CEOs this month. 

From investigations into misconduct to scouting from the competition, leadership shakeups came in all different shapes. Read on for details on notable power moves this month, including at Coherent, the Pittsburgh Robotics Network and Pitt. 

Coherent poaches CEO from smaller firm

Shares of Saxonburg-based Coherent Corp soared nearly 20% on Monday on the news that the laser maker and materials company had appointed Jim Anderson as CEO and board member. 

Anderson, a former AMD senior vice president, replaces Vincent Mattera, Jr., who retired from the $5.2 billion company. 

“Jim’s business acumen and technical capability, coupled with his extensive experience transforming complex global businesses to deliver above-market growth and profitability,” board chair Enrico DiGirolamo said, “make him the ideal leader to steer Coherent through its next chapter amidst a rapidly changing market.”

The new CEO was hired away from his most recent position, leading smaller competitor Lattice Semiconductor, based in Oregon — and the move caused Lattice shares to drop almost 16%. 

Robotics Network hires engagement, partnership leaders

The region’s organization for robotics professionals brought on two new people at the director level. The Pittsburgh Robotics Network hired Patrick Joyal as director of strategic engagement and Phoebe Gerst as director of partnerships.

“By intentionally investing in the commercial growth of these businesses, we not only drive innovation forward across multiple industries, but also will secure a significant economic advantage for the region,” said Jennifer Apicella, executive director of PRN. “Patrick and Phoebe are key to the growth and success of our organization’s ongoing work.”

Joyal joins from the Office of Governor Josh Shapiro, where he led community engagement and policy advocacy as southwest region director. His new role in strategic engagement at PRN focuses on building investment and equitable growth in robotics throughout the region. 

Gecko Robotics alum Gerst previously worked in business and sales development at the wall-climbing robot startup. At PRN, she’ll be tasked with bringing together robotics stakeholders and customers. 

Engineering association fires CEO

Warrendale-HQ’d global association SAE International fired CEO David Schutt following a formal investigation by the board, which found “behaviors and actions inconsistent with the organization’s code of conduct, culture and values.”

More than 128,000 engineers and related technical experts stay connected through the group, according to SAE’s website. 

President and chair of the board Carla Bailo and chief legal officer Greg Bradley will serve as co-CEOs during the search for a permanent replacement.

Greg Coticchia joins CEO Coaching International

RealLIST Connector Greg Coticchia joined executive mentoring firm CEO Coaching International. He joins after a recent CEO tenure at software company Sopheon, with previous experience launching Carnegie Mellon University’s Master’s Program in Product Management and participating in more than a dozen startups. 

More power moves:

• The University of Pittsburgh appointed Dwayne Lee Pinkney to serve as executive senior vice chancellor for administration and finance and chief financial officer.
• Brad Fetchin joins 412 Food Rescue, which recently also hired a new CEO, as VP of product. 
• Global law firm K&L Gates is expanding its Pittsburgh presence, bringing Daniel Fayock on as partner in its regional corporate M&A practice.
• L.B. Foster, an infrastructure consulting firm, hired Brian Friedman as chief growth officer. He replaces William Treacy Jr., who retired. 
• Block Communications, the media holding company behind the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, ousted CEO Allan Block, less than two weeks after he sued the company.