Automattic CEO Matt Mullenweg has appointed a new board of directors following a failed attempt by previous members to remove him from his position. The new board includes a science fiction author and two co-founders of the defunct social app IRL. This restructuring follows an internal governance conflict where the former board voted to place Mullenweg on leave earlier this month.
Mullenweg regained control of the company 33 hours after the initial vote. Following his return, he removed or accepted the resignations of several directors, including Toni Schneider, Ann Dunwoody, and Sue Decker. Additionally, CFO Mark Davies and Chief Legal Officer Andy Missan were dismissed from their roles during the leadership transition.
The company has also appointed a new legal counsel, Susman Godfrey LLP, to handle ongoing litigation, including a trademark dispute with WP Engine. Alongside the board changes, Mullenweg announced the addition of several new advisers, such as Curio Studio co-founder Jaime Waydo, June co-founder Matt Van Horn, and KISSmetrics co-founder Hiten Shah.
