---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0000950142-24-000665"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "CMTL"
cik: "0000023197"
company_name: "COMTECH TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORP /DE/"
filed_at: "2024-03-13T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-06-04T22:35:32.888676+00:00"
event_type: "leadership"
sentiment: "negative"
materiality_score: 0.75
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.75
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# Comtech terminates CEO Ken Peterman for cause; appoints John Ratigan interim CEO

## Summary
- Ken Peterman terminated as President and CEO for cause effective March 12, 2024; conduct unrelated to business strategy or financials.
- John Ratigan, previously Chief Corporate Development Officer, appointed interim CEO; previously CEO of iDirect Government.
- Mark Quinlan elected Chairman of the Board, replacing Peterman's position.
- Peterman resigned from Board and Chairman role per employment contract upon termination.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0000950142-24-000665
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: CMTL
- cik: 0000023197
- company_name: COMTECH TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORP /DE/
- filed_at: 2024-03-13T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: leadership
- sentiment: negative
- materiality_score: 0.75
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.75
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 5.02
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/23197/000095014224000665/0000950142-24-000665-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/23197/000095014224000665/eh240457604_8k.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000950142-24-000665
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000950142-24-000665.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000950142-24-000665.txt

## Key facts
- Executive change
  Ken Peterman was terminated as President and Chief Executive Officer at COMTECH TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORP /DE/.
  - Action: terminated
  - Role: President and Chief Executive Officer
  source text: On March 12, 2024, the Board of Directors (the “Board of Directors”) of Comtech Telecommunications Corp. (“Comtech” or the “Company”) terminated Ken Peterman as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company for cause due to conduct unrelated to Comtech’s business strategy, financial results or previously filed financial statements.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/23197/000095014224000665/0000950142-24-000665-index.htm
- Executive change
  John Ratigan was appointed as Interim Chief Executive Officer at COMTECH TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORP /DE/.
  - Action: appointed
  - Role: Interim Chief Executive Officer
  source text: John Ratigan, age 63, who is currently the Company’s Chief Corporate Development Officer (“CCDO”), will serve as interim Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/23197/000095014224000665/0000950142-24-000665-index.htm
- Executive change
  Mark Quinlan was elected as Chairman of the Board of Directors at COMTECH TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORP /DE/.
  - Action: elected
  - Role: Chairman of the Board of Directors
  source text: Mark Quinlan, who currently serves on the Board of Directors, has been elected as Chairman of the Board of Directors.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/23197/000095014224000665/0000950142-24-000665-index.htm

This AI-assisted summary is a reading aid. Review the linked SEC EDGAR filing before relying on any specific claim.