Universal Electronics Inc. (NASDAQ: UEIC) has named Wade M. Jenke as its new Chief Financial Officer, effective immediately. Jenke joins the company after serving as CFO of Amtech Systems from August 2024 to December 2025 and previously leading finance for EMS Group, a unit of ASSA ABLOY. His two‑decade track record in publicly traded technology firms, with a focus on cost control, treasury, and investor relations, positions him to steer UEIC’s financial strategy during a period of restructuring and growth in its Connected Home business.
The CFO transition follows the retirement of long‑time finance chief Bryan Hackworth, who stepped down on September 5, 2025, and the interim stewardship of Sui Man Ho, who will remain as Senior Vice President of Finance. Hackworth’s departure marked the end of a 12‑year tenure that saw UEIC navigate multiple market cycles, while Ho’s interim role helped maintain continuity as the company realigns its capital allocation and reporting functions. Jenke’s appointment signals a commitment to stabilizing the finance team as UEIC completes the shutdown of its Mexico manufacturing facility by year‑end 2025 and ramps up production in Vietnam, a move that is expected to reduce operating costs and improve margin discipline.
UEIC’s Q3 2025 earnings illustrate the financial backdrop against which Jenke will operate. The company reported earnings per share of $0.08, beating analyst expectations of $0.06 by $0.02, a 33% upside. The beat was largely driven by disciplined cost management and a favorable mix shift toward higher‑margin Connected Home products, which grew 46% YoY. Revenue, however, fell to $90.55 million, missing the consensus estimate of $96.07 million by $5.52 million, a 5.7% shortfall attributed to weaker demand in legacy consumer electronics and a temporary supply‑chain bottleneck that limited the availability of key components. In contrast, Q2 2025 revenue of $97.7 million grew 8% YoY, underscoring the company’s ability to generate top‑line growth when market conditions are favorable.
Richard Carnifax, UEIC’s COO and interim CEO, emphasized the strategic importance of Jenke’s appointment. “Wade brings extensive financial and strategic growth experience to his new role,” Carnifax said. “His background in the finance functions of publicly‑traded technology companies and his strategic and operational expertise will be an asset as we continue to execute on our restructuring plan and expand our Connected Home portfolio.” Carnifax also highlighted the company’s recent profitability trajectory, noting that UEIC has been working toward a net cash position and a return to profitability for the first time since 2022.
With Jenke at the helm, UEIC aims to accelerate its profitability target by tightening capital allocation, optimizing its global manufacturing footprint, and leveraging its Connected Home platform to capture higher‑margin opportunities. The CFO’s focus on cost discipline and investor relations will be critical as the company navigates the transition from a loss‑making to a profit‑generating model, a shift that could reshape investor expectations and improve the company’s long‑term valuation prospects.
The appointment of Wade Jenke as CFO represents a pivotal leadership change that aligns with Universal Electronics’ broader strategy to streamline operations, enhance financial performance, and position the company for sustainable growth in the competitive connected‑home market.
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