8×8, Inc.†(NYSE:EGHT), a leading provider of cloud voice, video, collaboration and contact center solutions that transform business communications for over a million users worldwide, has announced the appointments of Steven Gatoff as Chief Financial Officer, and Mary Ellen Genovese as Managing Director of European Operations, and the retirement of Kevin Scott-Cowell as Managing Director of UK. Mary Ellen Genovese will remain as Chief Financial Officer through the Company’s Form 10-Q filing for the second quarter of fiscal 2019 and will host 8×8’s second fiscal quarter earnings conference call on October 29, 2018. These changes will enhance 8×8’s global strategic and operational capabilities to drive continued growth and optimize business performance.
Steven Gatoff will join 8×8 on October 15, 2018, and will report directly to Vik Verma, Chief Executive Officer. Gatoff will work with Genovese in the coming weeks to ensure a smooth transition to the role of Chief Financial Officer. Gatoff will be a member of the Executive Leadership team with responsibility for the Company’s global finance, accounting, financial reporting, audit, procurement, tax, investor relations, and capital planning functions.
“We are excited to welcome Steven to 8×8 as our new Chief Financial Officer,” said Vik Verma. “Steven has a proven track-record at multiple high-growth SaaS companies and brings extensive financial, operational and strategic experience to 8×8. His demonstrated ability to scale technologies, manage growth and drive organizational excellence will be invaluable to 8×8 as we accelerate revenue growth and capture a greater share of the $40 billion enterprise communications market.”
Gatoff has more than 25 years of experience as a financial executive across a broad range of finance, accounting, and management disciplines, primarily within information technology and software-as-a-service (SaaS) industries. Prior to 8×8, Gatoff has been Chief Financial Officer at Elementum, PagerDuty, Rapid7, and iPass. Prior to these positions, Gatoff held senior finance roles at United Online, Sterling Commerce, and VeriSign. Earlier in his career, Gatoff was an investment banker at several Wall Street firms including Bear Stearns, Credit Suisse, and Morgan Stanley. Gatoff began his career as an auditor with Deloitte & Touche. Gatoff holds an MBA from Columbia University, a BS degree from the University of Vermont and is a CPA.
“8×8 offers a powerful value proposition and delivers differentiated customer experiences that drive greater productivity and return on investment,” said Steven Gatoff. “I’m thrilled to join the 8×8 team and look forward to supporting the continued and impressive growth of the business and building long-term shareholder value.”
Mary Ellen Genovese, who has served as 8×8’s Chief Financial Officer since November 2014, has been appointed as Managing Director of European Operations. Genovese succeeds Kevin Scott-Cowell, who will be retiring on October 31, 2018, after serving as 8×8’s Managing Director of UK since 2013. Genovese will be responsible for expanding global operations including overseeing the Company’s over 400 European employees. Genovese will continue to report to Verma and will assume this role effective on the date Gatoff starts as Chief Financial Officer.
“I want to thank Kevin for his leadership in the successful integration of our two European acquisitions and the establishment and growth of our European headquarters in London. We wish Kevin all the best in his retirement,” said Vik Verma.
Continued Verma, “Mary Ellen has been an integral member of 8×8’s executive leadership team having presided over Finance, Human Resources and Legal functions during a period of significant revenue growth and business transformation from small businesses to large enterprises. Her financial acumen, business expertise and deep knowledge of our organization will allow her to play a valuable role in accelerating our plans to scale, drive global expansion and bring innovation to new markets.”
