Our Mission & Guiding Principles
Our mission is to remain deeply rooted in the critical communications industry for all military, first responders, and public safety heroes. Our four guiding principles: growth, tenacious commitment to quality, continuous improvement, and a keen focus on being customer-centric, continuously drive our efforts to be the best partner for our customers, investment for our shareholders, neighbor in our community and to provide an empowering work environment for our employees.
As an American manufacturer for over 70 years, BK Technologies® advances include a broad new line of leading digital two‑way radio communications compliant with APCO Project 25 specifications. BK Technologies® products are manufactured and distributed worldwide under BK Radio® as the brand name. The Company maintains its headquarters in West Melbourne, Florida and can be contacted through its website at www.bktechnologies.com or directly at 1-800-821-2900. The Company’s common stock trades on the NYSE American market under the symbol “BKTI”.
Meet The Team
John M. Suzuki
Executive Leadership TeamCEO
John M. Suzuki was appointed as our CEO in July 2021. He previously served as President & CEO of the land mobile radio company, EF Johnson Technologies. John has 35+ years of experience in the telecommunications industry with a proven track record of driving sales growth. Previous experience includes Ericsson and Motorola.
John M. Suzuki
CEO
John M. Suzuki was appointed as our CEO in July 2021. He previously served as President & CEO of the land mobile radio company, EF Johnson Technologies. John has 35+ years of experience in the telecommunications industry with a proven track record of driving sales growth. Previous experience includes Ericsson and Motorola.
Timothy A. Vitou
Executive Leadership TeamPresident
Timothy A. Vitou was appointed as our President effective as of January 17, 2017. He previously served as the Company’s Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing since May 2008. Prior to that, he served as Vice President of Sales for Mobility Electronics, Inc., Senior Director of Global Go-To-Market, for Motorola, and General Manager, Americas Region, for Motorola.
Timothy A. Vitou
President
Timothy A. Vitou was appointed as our President effective as of January 17, 2017. He previously served as the Company’s Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing since May 2008. Prior to that, he served as Vice President of Sales for Mobility Electronics, Inc., Senior Director of Global Go-To-Market, for Motorola, and General Manager, Americas Region, for Motorola.
James Teel
Executive Leadership TeamGeneral Manager
James Teel brings more than 30 years of experience in the wireless communications industry. From 2007 to 2021, Mr. Teel was with L3Harris Corporation where he held positions including Director of Product Line Management and Director of Business Development for the Public Safety & Professional Communications division, where he played a major role in launching their SaaS business.
James Teel
General Manager
James Teel brings more than 30 years of experience in the wireless communications industry. From 2007 to 2021, Mr. Teel was with L3Harris Corporation where he held positions including Director of Product Line Management and Director of Business Development for the Public Safety & Professional Communications division, where he played a major role in launching their SaaS business.
Branko Avanic
Executive Leadership TeamChief Technology Officer
Dr. Branko Avanic is the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) for BK Technologies. Dr. Avanic joined BK in August 2019 bringing to BK over 30 years of leading-edge product development expertise with a prominent manufacturer in the land mobile radio industry. He holds a PhD in electrical engineering from the University of Miami and owns 29 U.S. Patents. In his role as CTO, Dr. Avanic is responsible for the entirety of BK's engineering activities.
Branko Avanic
Chief Technology Officer
Dr. Branko Avanic is the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) for BK Technologies. Dr. Avanic joined BK in August 2019 bringing to BK over 30 years of leading-edge product development expertise with a prominent manufacturer in the land mobile radio industry. He holds a PhD in electrical engineering from the University of Miami and owns 29 U.S. Patents. In his role as CTO, Dr. Avanic is responsible for the entirety of BK's engineering activities.
Randy Willis
Executive Leadership TeamChief Operations Officer
Randy Willis joined BK Technologies® (BKTI) in August 2017 as Vice President of Operations, advancing to Chief Operating Officer in March of 2018. Mr. Willis is responsible for leading the organization’s global operational strategy making continuous company wide improvements with the implementation of Lean Enterprise and Six Sigma methodologies. Before joining BK Technologies® he served as President of Target Velocity Consulting, leading public and private firms in productivity improvements.
Randy Willis
Chief Operations Officer
Randy Willis joined BK Technologies® (BKTI) in August 2017 as Vice President of Operations, advancing to Chief Operating Officer in March of 2018. Mr. Willis is responsible for leading the organization’s global operational strategy making continuous company wide improvements with the implementation of Lean Enterprise and Six Sigma methodologies. Before joining BK Technologies® he served as President of Target Velocity Consulting, leading public and private firms in productivity improvements.
Board Of Directors
John M. Suzuki
Board Of DirectorsDirector
John M. Suzuki was appointed as our CEO in July 2021. He previously served as President & CEO of the land mobile radio company, EF Johnson Technologies. John has 35+ years of experience in the telecommunications industry with a proven track record of driving sales growth. Previous experience includes Ericsson and Motorola.
John M. Suzuki
Director
John M. Suzuki was appointed as our CEO in July 2021. He previously served as President & CEO of the land mobile radio company, EF Johnson Technologies. John has 35+ years of experience in the telecommunications industry with a proven track record of driving sales growth. Previous experience includes Ericsson and Motorola.
Lloyd R. Sams
Board Of DirectorsDirector
Lloyd R. Sams was nominated to the Board of Directors for the 2022 Annual Meeting. Mr. Sams has served as a Founder and Managing Principal of BIA Digital Partners since 1999.
Lloyd R. Sams
Director
Lloyd R. Sams was nominated to the Board of Directors for the 2022 Annual Meeting. Mr. Sams has served as a Founder and Managing Principal of BIA Digital Partners since 1999.
Michael C. Mitchell
Board Of DirectorsDirector
Michael C. Mitchell was nominated to the Board of Directors for the 2022 Annual Meeting. Mr. Mitchell has served as a director of Ballantyne Strong Inc. (NYSE American: BTN), a holding company with diverse business activities focused on serving the entertainment and retail markets since October 2021. Mr. Mitchell has also served as a director of GreenFirst Forest Products Inc. (TSX: GFP), a public company focused on investments in the forest products industry, since October 2021.
Michael C. Mitchell
Director
Michael C. Mitchell was nominated to the Board of Directors for the 2022 Annual Meeting. Mr. Mitchell has served as a director of Ballantyne Strong Inc. (NYSE American: BTN), a holding company with diverse business activities focused on serving the entertainment and retail markets since October 2021. Mr. Mitchell has also served as a director of GreenFirst Forest Products Inc. (TSX: GFP), a public company focused on investments in the forest products industry, since October 2021.
D. Kyle Cerminara
Board Of DirectorsChairman
D. Kyle Cerminara was appointed to the board of directors in July 2015 and as Chairman in March 2017. Mr. Cerminara is the Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board for Ballantyne Strong, Inc., a holding company with diverse business activities focused on serving the cinema, retail, financial and government markets. Mr. Cerminara assumed responsibilities as Chairman of the Board of Ballantyne Strong in May 2015 and as Chief Executive Officer in November 2015.
D. Kyle Cerminara
Chairman
D. Kyle Cerminara was appointed to the board of directors in July 2015 and as Chairman in March 2017. Mr. Cerminara is the Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board for Ballantyne Strong, Inc., a holding company with diverse business activities focused on serving the cinema, retail, financial and government markets. Mr. Cerminara assumed responsibilities as Chairman of the Board of Ballantyne Strong in May 2015 and as Chief Executive Officer in November 2015.
Charles T. Lanktree
Board Of DirectorsDirector
Charles T. Lanktree was appointed to the board of directors in March 2017. Mr. Lanktree has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Eggland’s Best, LLC, a joint venture between Eggland’s Best, Inc. and Land O’Lakes, Inc. distributing nationally branded eggs, since 2012.
Charles T. Lanktree
Director
Charles T. Lanktree was appointed to the board of directors in March 2017. Mr. Lanktree has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Eggland’s Best, LLC, a joint venture between Eggland’s Best, Inc. and Land O’Lakes, Inc. distributing nationally branded eggs, since 2012.
General E. Gray Payne
Board Of DirectorsDirector
General E. Gray Payne was appointed to the board of directors in January 2017. General Payne served as Senior Vice President of The Columbia Group (“TCG”), since September 2010 to September 2017, where he has been responsible for managing the Marine Corps Programs Division (since September 2010) and the Navy Programs Division (since October 2013), with combined annual revenue of approximately $30 million.
General E. Gray Payne
Director
General E. Gray Payne was appointed to the board of directors in January 2017. General Payne served as Senior Vice President of The Columbia Group (“TCG”), since September 2010 to September 2017, where he has been responsible for managing the Marine Corps Programs Division (since September 2010) and the Navy Programs Division (since October 2013), with combined annual revenue of approximately $30 million.
R. Joseph Jackson
Board Of DirectorsDirector
R. Joseph Jackson was nominated to the Board of Directors for the 2021 Annual Meeting. Mr. Jackson currently serves as the Managing Partner of Metrolina Capital, a firm that is in the business of providing private lending, structured equity, and making real estate investments.
R. Joseph Jackson
Director
R. Joseph Jackson was nominated to the Board of Directors for the 2021 Annual Meeting. Mr. Jackson currently serves as the Managing Partner of Metrolina Capital, a firm that is in the business of providing private lending, structured equity, and making real estate investments.