Tellabs CEO Pullen dies from cancer

Tellabs CEO Rob Pullen died today of cancer, company Chairman Mike Birck revealed in a letter to stockholders, customers, employees, and others.

Pullen revealed his condition April 20. Birck stated in a letter June 27 that Pullen had undergone surgery “recently” and that Dan Kelly had been named acting president and CEO. Kelly continues to hold those positions, Birck said in his letter today.

“We extend our sympathies to Rob's wife Dawn, his children Brittany and Brendan, and his family. Our thoughts and prayers are with them,” Birck also wrote. “On a personal note, I was honored to have worked side by side with Rob at Tellabs for 30 years. No words can describe the grief I feel right now.”