Rogers CEO Joe Natale ousted, Edward Rogers’ top pick takes over

Joe Natale is no longer the president and CEO of Rogers, according to a statement from the company.

Tony Staffieri — Edward Rogers’ preferred executive — will take over as the telecom giant’s interim president and CEO. This shift comes amid a power struggle within the Rogers that resulted in a judge allowing Edward Rogers, the chair of the Rogers’ family trust, to replace five director’s on the company’s board.

“On behalf of the Rogers family, the Board and our 24,000 team members across the country, I thank Joe for his leadership and contributions to our company, including paving the way for our future together with Shaw,” said Edward Rogers, in a press statement.

“While Joe is moving on, we have an experienced interim CEO and leadership team who will continue to focus on the business, return to stability, and closing our transformational merger with Shaw.”

The press release goes on to state that Staffieri has “over thirty years of telecom, financial, media and sports experience, including nine as the chief financial officer of Rogers.”

However, it seems Staffieri’s appointment is truly temporary, as the release also says that Rogers is looking for a permanent CEO that will “continue to drive our future growth.”

Rogers says that it still plans to acquire Shaw this spring in a $26 billion deal that’s still awaiting approval from the Canadian government.