Go Daddy, the world's largest provider of Web
hosting, domain
name registrations and new SSL
certificates, today announced that Warren Adelman
has decided to step down from his position as CEO and assume a new role
at the company as Special Advisor for Strategy and Global Policy.
"I am proud to have been part of a team that has built a terrific
business. I've spent close to a decade with Go Daddy, and it has been an
amazing and rewarding time in my life. As much as I have enjoyed my
roles as CEO and formerly as president and chief operating officer, I
have reached a juncture in my life when I would like to spend more time
with my family," Adelman explained. "I am committed to Go Daddy, one of
the world's most dynamic and innovative Internet brands. I am excited to
continue with Go Daddy as a Special Advisor, a role that both allows me
to continue to work with some great people and is also critical to our
growth."
"Warren has been an exceptionally valuable member of our team as both
President and COO and recently as CEO and has been instrumental in the
spectacular growth of Go Daddy over the past nine years," said Go Daddy
Executive Chairman and Founder Bob Parsons. "On behalf of the Board and
the Go Daddy family, I would like to express my deep appreciation to
Warren for his leadership and support over the years. We look forward to
continuing to benefit from his insights in the future."
Adelman is changing roles during a period of strong momentum at Go
Daddy. In late 2011, the company received an investment from KKR, Silver
Lake, and Technology Crossover Ventures to fuel growth. Since then, the
company has accelerated its international expansion efforts, including
major investments in India. In 2011, Go Daddy also set a record
financial performance, surpassing $1.1 billion in sales, and surpassed
the 10 million customer mark worldwide.
Over the last year, Go Daddy has also added new products to better serve
its customers. With the recent acquisition of Outright, a provider of
data-driven and community-enabled financial management applications, it
has expanded its leading portfolio of cloud-based products to help small
and medium-sized businesses build their businesses online.
Scott Wagner has been named interim CEO while the board conducts a
search for a permanent successor. Wagner joins Go Daddy from KKR's
portfolio operations team, KKR Capstone, which he joined in 2000. He
co-leads KKR Capstone's activities in North America and has held a
number of roles with KKR's investments in the technology and media
sectors. Wagner is familiar with Go Daddy, having spent the last year
working with the company building up its international strategy.
"I look forward to working with the innovative and long-tenured
management team at Go Daddy," Wagner said. "We will keep enhancing the
ways we enable and empower small businesses to grow their online
presence."
