If you’ve ever worn a headset, you’ve probably seen the name Plantronics. Once the province of annoying telemarketers and customer service reps under siege, the humble telephone headset is now ubiquitous in the wireless age, even mandatory in the increasing number of states that prohibit the use of handheld cell phones while driving. This is all great news for Santa Cruz-based Plantronics Inc. (NYSE: PLT), with a strong position for the next generation of unified communications audio devices and both corded and cordless headsets. The company had sales of $614 million in the last year, down 9 percent from $675 million in 2009. It has more than 3,000 employees worldwide.
THE QUICK BIO
Richard Pickard is vice president-legal, general counsel and secretary. Hired in 2001, he oversees legal matters relating to corporate, securities, mergers and acquisitions, litigation and intellectual property matters. Before joining Plantronics, Pickard, 57, spent 14 years at semiconductor maker Zilog Inc. in Campbell where he rose to senior vice president, general counsel and secretary. Before that he was corporate counsel at NEC Electronics and in private practice specializing in corporate law at Crosby, Heafey, Roach & May and Graham & James. He received his J.D. in 1979 from the College of William and Mary Law School and his undergraduate degree in American civilizations from Williams College.
