According to the announcement made public by the company, Ms. Beranek will continue to serve faithfully in her existing role until the earlier of two milestones: the successful appointment of her successor or her formally scheduled retirement date. This carefully structured timeline is intended to provide operational continuity and stability for the organization. Furthermore, upon the eventual appointment of her successor, Ms. Beranek will not sever ties with the company she helped shape. Instead, she will continue her employment with Clearfield in a vital non-director role, stepping into the newly designated title of President and Chief Executive Officer Emeritus. This strategic move ensures that the enterprise will retain her invaluable institutional knowledge, industry insight, and strategic vision as it navigates future milestones.
In direct response to this impending leadership transition, and as an integral part of its robust and ongoing corporate governance and succession planning process, the Clearfield Board of Directors is preparing to initiate a comprehensive executive search. To ensure a thorough and meticulous process, the Board will actively consider both external and internal candidates for the company’s next chief executive officer. This executive search will be conducted in close partnership with a nationally recognized and respected executive search firm, reflecting the board’s commitment to identifying a leader equipped to guide Clearfield through its next chapters of evolution and marketplace expansion.
Catherine T. Kelly, the Chair of the Board of Directors, spoke on behalf of the entire board to express profound gratitude for Ms. Beranek’s foundational contributions over more than two decades of dedicated service. "On behalf of the Board of Directors, I want to sincerely thank Cheri for her exceptional leadership and dedication to Clearfield," stated Catherine T. Kelly, the Chair of the Board of Directors. "Cheri has made an indelible mark on Clearfield over these last two decades, including serving as the key architect of the Company’s product and market expansion, driving profitable growth, and building capabilities to evolve Clearfield into the business it is today."
The leadership tenure of Cheri Beranek at Clearfield is deeply intertwined with the modern history of the company itself. Reflecting on her remarkable tenure and the journey that brought the organization to its current standing, Cheri Beranek shared her perspective on the announcement. "It has been a privilege to serve as Clearfield’s President and Chief Executive Officer," commented Ms. Beranek. "From co-founding the company in 2008 to today, I am so very proud of the outstanding business we have built."
During her time at the helm, Ms. Beranek played a pivotal role in positioning Clearfield as a trusted name in fiber management and connectivity platforms, helping service providers bridge the digital divide and deploy high-speed broadband to communities that previously lacked reliable access. Her leadership navigated shifting market dynamics, economic cycles, and technological advancements within the broader telecommunications sector.
"I’d like to thank the entire Clearfield team for bringing their passion to work, tirelessly striving for operational excellence, and always delivering for our customers," Ms. Beranek continued, highlighting the collaborative spirit and dedication of the company’s workforce. "With Clearfield well positioned for its next phase of growth, I believe now is the right time to activate the succession planning process and for me to move to an Emeritus position in order to assist in the transition to Clearfield’s next leader."
By transitioning into the President and Chief Executive Officer Emeritus role following the arrival of a new CEO, Ms. Beranek will provide a seamless bridge between the company’s historical achievements and its future strategic objectives. This structured handover minimizes disruption for key stakeholders, including institutional investors, enterprise customers, vendor partners, and the dedicated employees who drive Clearfield’s day-to-day operations across its manufacturing, engineering, and sales divisions.
Alongside the leadership transition announcement, Clearfield also provided a brief operational update regarding its financial standing and reporting schedule. The company expects that its financial results for the fourth quarter and full year of fiscal 2026 will be in line with the financial guidance previously provided by executive leadership during its fiscal 2026 third-quarter earnings call, which took place on August 5, 2026. This reaffirmation of guidance signals ongoing stability and consistent business execution even as the organization undertakes a major corporate leadership evolution.
As the fiber optic and broadband connectivity markets continue to experience high demand driven by federal infrastructure investments, rural broadband expansion initiatives, and the surging capacity requirements of modern data centers, Clearfield remains focused on executing its core business strategy. The methodical approach adopted by the Board of Directors regarding the CEO search underscores a commitment to maintaining market leadership, operational discipline, and long-term shareholder value. With ample time before the March 31, 2027 effective retirement date, the company, the Board of Directors, and Ms. Beranek are well-equipped to execute a transparent, orderly, and successful leadership transition.
