Munich, – Nov 14, 2012 – tyntec, a Germany-based mobile interaction specialist, today announced the appointment of Steve Liddell as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) effective November 19, 2012. The appointment of Liddell, an experienced executive in the technology and telecommunications field, signals the next phase of tyntec’s growth.

Liddell takes over from long-time CEO Michael Kowalzik, who is leaving tyntec for personal reasons. Kowalzik departs on excellent terms with the company having laid the groundwork for further growth. Following eight years at tyntec’s helm, he is stepping down to take time off and spend more time with his family, as well as seek new challenges.

Liddell has a proven track record of growing sales, building strong teams and scaling complex businesses across multiple disciplines in the US, Asia and Europe. His unique background combining telco infrastructure, 4G wireless and Internet software makes him an ideal fit for the company.

Steve began his telecommunications career at British Telecom, working in London and Atlanta. After 6 years at BT, he moved to Virginia where he built the international submarine cable business for MFS (a US fiber operator later acquired by WorldCom) before moving to Hong Kong. There, as President of the Asia Pacific region for MCI-Worldcom, he secured a unique set of licenses and built an extensive business covering eight countries. In 1999, he became an early member of US fiber operator Level 3 Communications, where he built and divested their Asian business, before returning to the US where he ran the company’s fiber, transport, infrastructure, colocation and IP business units. After a total of 6 years at Level 3, in March 2005, Steve then moved into the mobile world as COO of Clearwire International where he was responsible for the international operations of this early stage WiMAX operator.

More recently, Steve has worked as an independent consultant advising leading private equity firms – a role in which he led the acquisition of eastern European telecommunications operator GTS. Steve was also CEO of Panther CDN, which he divested in 2009, before becoming President of Florida-based CDN business Highwinds, a role he held until his return to the UK in mid 2011.

"tyntec has a track-record for innovation in the industry. It is a well-run, well-backed company with a strong team and a number of products that will be of profound benefit to a rapidly changing industry. This is exactly the kind of opportunity that I enjoy," Liddell said.

Outgoing CEO Michael Kowalzik said: “It is a matter of great personal pride that I have been involved in seeing the company grow from just a handful of people to the global 150-person firm it is today. But following many years at tyntec’s helm, it was time for me to step down to spend more time with my family and pursue new challenges in the venture and investment market. I would like to wish Steve all the best, and I have no doubt, that with the solid foundation of the company and a number of innovations in the pipeline, coupled with his experience, tyntec is ideally placed to flourish in the next 10 years.”

Dr. Ralph Eric Kunz, Co-Founder and Chairman of the Board, said: “Michael departs tyntec in amicable agreement with the shareholders having completed a full knowledge transfer. We would like to take the opportunity to express our thanks for the highly successful and trustful work together and we wish him much success for the future, both on a personal and professional level.”

“Steve is an experienced executive whose telco infrastructure background combined with his track record for growing businesses made him the ideal candidate for tyntec. We are very pleased to welcome him to the company and look forward to working with him in the future,” Kunz added.