Auddia’s new CEO, board members to explore mergers, restructuring

Auddia Inc. (Nasdaq: AUDD), a Boulder-based audio and podcast technology company, has hired a new CEO and swapped in a trio of new board members tasked with exploring opportunities for mergers and business restructuring.

Jeff Thramann, the company’s chairman, has stepped into the CEO role, replacing Michael Lawless, who has led Auddia and its predecessor Clip Interactive for 13 years.

Additionally, Auddia “has added three new independent board members with experience in AI infrastructure and the evaluation of entrepreneurial opportunities. The new board members are Nick Balletta, Emmanuel de Boucaud and Josh Sroge. They are replacing existing independent board members Steve Deitsch, Tim Hanlon and Tom Birch,” the company said in a news release.

“The new board has formed a special committee of independent members to evaluate a transformative business combination opportunity to restructure into an AI native holding company that delivers enhanced AI capabilities to its portfolio companies.”

If that restructuring occurs and Auddia forms a holding company with other brands under its umbrella, Thramann will lead the parent entity and Auddia would name a new CEO to head up the subsidiary.

“The announced leadership changes and proposed restructuring are the result of a comprehensive analysis of strategic alternatives over the past nine months led by Jeff Thramann and the board in partnership with the management team and outside consultants,” the release said.

Auddia’s stock price was $4.10 at 12:15 p.m. Thursday, down slightly on the day. The company’s share price has lost more than 50% of its value since the start of 2025.

Broomfield wraps The Bay Aquatic Park renovation

The Bay Aquatic Park in Broomfield reopened last week after a nearly year-long renovation and improvement effort.

In partnership with the general contractor Pinkard Construction and architect BHA Design, Broomfield Recreation Services invested $9.6 million in the renovation, which included the “complete demolition and replacement of the massive leisure pool and three water slides, an expanded pool deck, and a new mechanical building, along with numerous other amenity upgrades,” according to a Pinkard news release.

The Bay Aquatic Park was first built in 1991 and has received several minor upgrades in the decades since.

“The collaborative spirit of this project has delivered exceptional results. Completing a major renovation, coupled with the significant added value of these extra repairs and upgrades on schedule, was no small feat,” Broomfield capital improvement manager Brian Graham said in the release. “We are beyond excited to welcome our community back to a revitalized Bay Aquatic Park for the 2025 season.”

Gogo adds retired general to board

Gogo Inc. (Nasdaq: GOGO), a Broomfield-based provider of broadband connectivity services for the business-aviation market, recently appointed Mike Minihan, a retired U.S. Air Force general, to its board of directors.

“General Minihan’s appointment marks a pivotal moment for Gogo following our acquisition of Satcom Direct and entry into the military and government market,” Gogo executive chairman Oakleigh Thorne said in a news release.

“His unparalleled experience in global air operations and connectivity strategy such as launching the Air Mobility Command’s ‘25 in 25’ satcom initiative exemplifies his forward-thinking approach to mission-critical connectivity and is vital to satisfying the needs of this important market.”

Gogo acquired Satcom Direct Inc., a Melbourne, Florida-based in-flight communications company, last fall.

Westminster’s Loenbro continues acquisition spree

Industrial services provider Loenbro LLC recently acquired the Weifield Group, a Centennial-based electrical services provider.

The addition comes on the heels of a January acquisition by Loenbro of Arizona’s Industrial LLC and the April purchase of Stewart Electric, a Nevada-based electrical services provider that serves data-center clients.

The Weifield acquisition “marks a significant milestone in Loenbro’s strategy to expand its electrical service capabilities, broaden its geographic footprint, and enhance its ability to serve customers in mission-critical infrastructure markets,” the company said in a news release.

Weifield has operations in the Mountain West, Texas and Tennessee.

“We are excited to welcome the Weifield team to the Loenbro family. Weifield is a best-in-class electrical services provider with deep expertise in complex, mission-critical and industrial environments, and a proven track record of delivering high-quality work,” Loenbro CEO Daniel Cowan said in the release. “The company has an outstanding leadership team and a values-driven culture that aligns closely with ours. Together, we are well-positioned to expand our integrated offering, pursue larger-scale opportunities, and continue investing in our people and capabilities.”

Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.

Maxar wins nearly $205M in Middle Eastern defense contracts

Maxar Technologies, a Westminster-based aerospace company specializing in satellite imagery, recently inked three new contracts for its Maxar Intelligence division that total $204.7 million.

The contracts “will help accelerate sovereign defense and intelligence capabilities and space leadership across the Middle East and Africa (MEA),” Maxar said in a news release.

The company did not specify which entities in the region it will service with these contracts.

“The contracts, which expand on Maxar’s two decades-long leadership in the region, are built around Maxar’s Direct Access Program (DAP) offering,” the release said. “The MEA customers will have direct access to Maxar’s industry-leading satellite constellation and geospatial intelligence products, including very high-resolution satellite imagery, 3D terrain data and advanced analytics for persistent monitoring in near real-time.”

Swisslog Healthcare hires HR leader

Swisslog Healthcare, a medical-equipment company with North American headquarters in Broomfield, has hired Sarah Stary as its global head of people and organization.

“In her new role, Stary will develop and execute people-centric strategies that support business growth, enhance organizational effectiveness, and drive a culture of engagement and inclusion,” the company said in a news release.

“She will leverage her extensive experience in executive consulting, talent management, and leadership development to strengthen Swisslog Healthcare’s workforce.”

Prior to joining Swisslog Healthcare, Stary served as a human resources director at Trina Solar AG.

“Swisslog Healthcare’s mission to shape the future of healthcare automation aligns with my passion for developing high-performing teams,” Stary said in the release. “My focus will be on creating an environment where our talented workforce can innovate and deliver exceptional value to our customers and patients worldwide.”

— BizWest reports