(Hickory, N.C.) CommScope has named Mark Olson executive vice president and chief financial officer, effective February 1. He will replace Jearld Leonhardt, a CommScope founder and the company’s top financial executive for its entire history, who has chosen to step down from his current and long-standing position as executive vice president and chief financial officer as he transitions to a planned retirement later in 2012.

“Jearld has left an indelible mark on CommScope over a 41-year career, and his steady leadership has guided the company to its position as a global infrastructure leader,” said Eddie Edwards, president and chief executive officer, CommScope. “From the mid-1970s when he and founder Frank Drendel worked night and day to raise funds to start the company, Jearld has guided CommScope through various market cycles, acquisitions, financing programs and growth periods with the highest of integrity, setting the example for how business can and should be conducted every day. On behalf of the thousands of people he has touched during his career, I am grateful for his service, leadership and friendship.”

Leonhardt will continue with CommScope for a period of time in an advisory role, assisting Edwards, Olson and Drendel, chairman of CommScope’s board of directors, on transition issues and other projects.

Olson has been CommScope’s controller and principal accounting officer since 2009. He previously served as vice president and controller for Andrew LLC since the closing of the CommScope’s acquisition of Andrew Corporation in December 2007. He joined Andrew in 1993 as group controller and eventually rose to vice president, corporate controller and chief accounting officer. Prior to joining Andrew, he was employed by Nortel and Johnson & Johnson.

“Mark has the expertise and experience that makes him a natural choice for his new role,” Edwards said. “I have every confidence that he will build on the tremendous legacy that Jearld has established in his long career at CommScope.”

Olson’s current role will be filled by Robert Granow, currently vice president of Corporate Accounting, who has been named corporate controller and principal accounting officer, effective February 1. Granow joined CommScope in 2004 and has held various positions within the Corporate Controller organization. Prior to joining the company, he was employed by LifeSpan Incorporated, Aetna Inc. and Arthur Andersen & Co.

About CommScope

CommScope (www.commscope.com) has played a role in virtually all the world’s best communication networks. We create the infrastructure that connects people and technologies through every evolution. Our portfolio of end-to-end solutions includes critical infrastructure our customers need to build high-performing wired and wireless networks. As much as technology changes, our goal remains the same: to help our customers create, innovate, design, and build faster and better. We’ll never stop connecting and evolving networks for the business of life at home, at work, and on the go.