Rich Wasielewski, who has led Nortech Systems Inc. for the past four years, said Wednesday that he will retire after the company's board finds a successor.
Rich Wasielewski to retire as CEO of electronics maker Nortech Systems
The announcement came as Nortech reported its best quarterly profit in seven years.
The news came the same day that the Maple Grove-based provider of electronics manufacturing services reported its best quarterly profit in seven years.
"This succession plan has been discussed with the board for some time," Wasielewski said in a statement. "The timing is right for me, and for Nortech, to make this transition. We have a strong track record of accomplishment and many opportunities on the horizon."
Wasielewski joined Nortech in 2004 and was named president and CEO in 2014.
The company said it earned $390,000, or 14 cents a share, in the three months ended June 30. That's a turnaround from a loss of $16,000 in the same period a year ago. The per-share profit was Nortech's best since the first quarter of 2011.
Revenue was $28.5 million, down 5.3 percent from a year ago. But adjusted for an accounting-rule change, revenue rose 5 percent.
The company's stock rose nearly 8 percent to $3.94 a share Wednesday.
Nortech credited Wasielewski for contributions that include strategic investments and acquisitions that increased the company's capabilities and expanded its geographic reach.
"The vision he developed and spearheaded includes a global solutions footprint, expanded medical-market presence, enhanced value-added services and an innovative R&D culture," David Kunin, Nortech's chairman, said in a statement.
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