OLD BRIDGE, NJ / October 5, 2016 / Blonder Tongue Laboratories, Inc. (NYSE MKT: BDR) It is with heavy hearts that we share with you the passing of James A. Luksch, our former Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board, on Wednesday, September 28, 2016. “Jim” to all of his friends and family at Blonder Tongue was 86.
Jim had an enduring passion to work, continually learning and imparting his wisdom to others. Before his retirement in 2015, Jim dedicated over 25 years to Blonder Tongue beginning with the company’s acquisition from its founders Ike Blonder and Ben Tongue. Over the years, Jim led the team through its initial public offering (IPO) and transition to today’s digital landscape. He was never without his suit, tie and coordinating pocket square, representing a standard bred from being born during the Great Depression, serving in the Korean conflict, and as a long time businessman and entrepreneur.
Jim was born in Buffalo, NY on July 13, 1930, served in the US Army in the Korean conflict from 1951-1953, and completed his college education under the GI Bill following his return to the US. One of his proudest achievements was receiving his Bachelor of Science Electrical Engineering degree (BSEE), Magna cum Laude from the University of Buffalo, and then his Master of Science Electrical Engineering degree (MSEE) from the University of Pennsylvania. Jim worked as a radar engineer at RCA Corporation, cofounded Texscan Corporation acquired Theta-Com CATV from Hughes Aircraft, and Sylvania CATV from GTE.
“Most importantly, Jim was our leader, our mentor, and our friend.” said Bob Palle, President of Blonder Tongue Laboratories. “Jim taught us so much about business, and especially the notion that, no matter what it takes, take care of the customer. We will miss him so much”
We send our sincere condolences to all of Jim’s family and friends.
Jim is survived by his wife Lina Luksch, his children, Tony Luksch, Elizabeth Luksch, Emily Nikoo, Todd Drake and Vincent Drake, and his grandchildren, Deandra Drake, Neeve Nikoo, Alexzander (AJ) Hudson, Theresa Hudson, Misha Nikoo, and Vincent Drake, Jr.
About Blonder Tongue
Blonder Tongue Laboratories, Inc. together with R. L. Drake Holdings, LLC – its wholly owned subsidiary – offer customers more than 130 years of combined engineering and manufacturing excellence with solid histories of delivering reliable, quality products. As a leader in the field of cable television communications, the Company provides system operators and integrators serving the cable, broadcast, satellite, IPTV, institutional and professional video markets with comprehensive solutions for the provision of content contribution, distribution and video delivery to homes and businesses. The Company designs, manufactures, sells and supports an equipment portfolio of standard and high definition digital video solutions, as well as core analog video and high-speed data solutions for distribution over coax, fiber and IP networks. Additional information on the Company and its products can be found at www.blondertongue.com, and www.rldrake.com.
“Safe Harbor” Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: The information set forth above includes “forward-looking” statements and accordingly, the cautionary statements contained in Blonder Tongue’s Annual Report and Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 (See Item 1: Business, Item 1A: Risk Factors, Item 3: Legal Proceedings and Item 7: Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations), and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission are incorporated herein by reference. The words “believe”, “expect”, “anticipate”, “project”, “target”, “intend”, “plan”, “seek”, “estimate”, “endeavor”, “should”, “could”, “may” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. In addition, any statements that refer to projections for our future financial performance, our anticipated growth trends in our business and other characterizations of future events or circumstances are forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which reflect management’s analysis only as of the date hereof. Blonder Tongue undertakes no obligation to publicly revise these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that arise after the date hereof. Blonder Tongue’s actual results may differ from the anticipated results or other expectations expressed in Blonder Tongue’s “forward-looking” statements.
Contacts
Robert J. Pallé
President & CEO
bpalle@blondertongue.com
(732) 679-4000