It’s not easy taking over an internationally dependent tech company in the middle of a pandemic. Just ask Jeff Gardner of Irvine-based vehicle tracking and management company CalAmp Corp.
“I flew out to Irvine from Dallas to start the job and I’ve been stuck in my condo the whole time,” he told the Business Journal on April 10.
Gardner became interim president and chief executive of $180 million-valued CalAmp on March 25, following the retirement of longtime chief Michael Burdiek.
Gardner said “we’re working well” and “still open for business” as employees work from home while offices are temporarily closed. He acknowledged there has been “some stress” without elaborating.
Lower Projection
CalAmp (Nasdaq: CAMP) pushed its revenue projection downward for the quarter that ended Feb. 29 in part because of the “effect of the coronavirus outbreak in China on its supply chain.” The official numbers are expected to be released May 5.
CalAmp, best known for its LoJack stolen vehicle recovery system, said earlier this month it hadn’t had any layoffs or furloughs and had no current plans to do so.
Taiwan, China
Gardner said Taiwan and China are “back to 100%” production because the virus spread started there early, while Malaysia was still affected but was expected to go back to work last week.
He said the company’s product usually consists of hardware with “some software built on top.”
He emphasized the company has been taking extra safety precautions for the part of the business that can’t be done remotely—such as installations in cars at dealerships around the country.
“Some of those are continuing. We’re just making sure that all our employees are practicing all the COVID-19 safety measures, like wearing masks, taking their temperature in the morning, wearing gloves,” along with keeping the correct social distance, he said.
“The worst thing that could happen is if we get this under control, react too quickly and have it resurge again,” said Gardner, formerly president and CEO of Brinks Home Security.
100% Confidence
The company board has said it will consider Gardner as a permanent successor to Burdiek.
“I’m behaving as if I’m going to be the permanent CEO. I want this job. I think I’m the best person to do it,” Gardner said, adding that the board has “100 % confidence” in him and he’s planning his relocation to Orange County. Gardner has served as a member of CalAmp’s board since 2015.
He added, “Knock on wood, we’re keeping our employees safe.”
