Rory Moore

Rory Moore has taken over as interim chief executive of CommNexus San Diego while the board seeks a replacement for Julia Wilson, who has bolted to the for-profit side of the industry. The telecom association’s board voted unanimously to select Moore, a sitting board member, says Mark Steele, chair. Meanwhile, retired Vice Adm. Walter Davis was elected to the board and will act as a special co-leader with Moore in moving the organization forward in the wake of Wilson’s departure.

Steele says Moore volunteered for the interim post because the board wanted to take four to six months to recruit a permanent CEO. While recruitment will be national, the board preference is a San Diegan who understands the local industry.

Mark Steele

Moore is a successful entrepreneur and long time San Diegan who was co-founder and v.p. of Peregrine Semiconductor Corp. and founding CEO of Silicon Wave Inc., which was acquired by RF Microdevices in 2004. Davis is co-chair of CommNexus’ Military Special Interest Group and a board member of the National History Museum. Davis spent 30 years in the Navy, serving as a battle group commander and chief of Navy Space and Communications Directorate at the Pentagon. Davis also co-founded e-Fire.com with Moore.

Beth Avant, the organizations’ plugged-in former marketing communications manager, has been promoted to director of operations.

Julia Wilson

Wilson’s new position is as v.p. of business development for San Diego startup Rocketalk. (See related item.) Wilson spent six years with the organization, overseeing its expansion and last year its name change.

“We’re really sad to lose her,” says Steele, noting that her departure to a new startup is a sign that the industry is growing.

“It was the best career experience of my life,” says Wilson of her time at CommNexus. “In many ways it was a startup.”