When Charlie Kanan, Waytek’s longtime CEO, announced plans to retire after 12 years of dedicated servant leadership, the stakes were high. Charlie had built a legacy anchored in service, trust, and people while delivering strong, consistent growth. The board’s goal wasn’t just to find a new CEO. It was to find the right leader – someone who could build on Waytek’s success while honoring the heart of Waytek’s culture.

To do that, Waytek turned once again to Lyman Executive Search (LES), a trusted partner with a proven track record. LES specializes in C-level and board searches for privately held, mid-market companies. Their earlier collaboration on a Head of Finance search in 2021 had already proven LES’s ability to deliver high impact, culturally aligned talent for Waytek. This time, the ask was even greater: lead a CEO search that fused precision execution with an unrelenting focus on values and people.

 “This wasn’t just about replacing a CEO,” said Mike Larson, one of Waytek’s owners and its Chief Operating Officer. “It was about finding a leader who could honor our culture while unlocking our next chapter.”

“This wasn’t just about replacing a CEO. It was about finding a leader who could honor our culture while unlocking our next chapter.”

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Mike Larson, Waytek co-owner and COO

LES, with its deep expertise in C-level searches for private, mid-market companies, was uniquely positioned to meet the moment. From the outset, Libby Utter and David Lyman approached the engagement with rigor and humility, conducting extensive interviews with team members, shareholders, customers, and board members. This 360-degree process revealed a crystal-clear picture of Waytek’s DNA: excellence rooted in service, teamwork, and a mission-driven mindset.

The challenge was clear: find a leader with the vision to grow, the discipline to execute, and the emotional intelligence to lead with people at the center. LES combined research-driven search with their expansive executive network, prioritizing cultural alignment and long-term success along with solid credentials.

That search led to Andres Caballero, a seasoned executive with a global perspective, a disciplined operator’s mindset, and an authentic, people-first leadership style. Andres brought the rare combination of strategic foresight, executional excellence, and humility that Waytek’s board and owners were seeking. His leadership philosophy aligned seamlessly with Waytek’s values of empowerment, innovation, and delivering an outstanding customer experience.

“Andres’ leadership style, strategic thinking, and commitment to culture made him the ideal CEO for Waytek moving forward,” said Charlie Kanan, outgoing Waytek CEO and continuing Board Chairman.

“Andres’ leadership style, strategic thinking, and commitment to culture made him the ideal CEO for Waytek moving forward.”

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Charlie Kanan, outgoing CEO and continuing Board Chairman, Waytek

Throughout the process, LES remained deeply engaged, advising on candidate evaluations, interview design, onboarding, and transition planning. Their guidance ensured not just a strong hire, but a high-impact start.

“What impressed me most was the seamless alignment between Waytek’s values and Andres’ leadership style,” said Mike Sullivan, Waytek Advisory Board Member. “This was more than a hire; it was a cultural handoff done right.”

LES didn’t just stop at selection. They supported every step of the transition, from interview design and candidate assessments to onboarding and leadership integration, ensuring Andres hit the ground running.

“Andres is a dynamic, people-first leader with a deep understanding of our industry and a passion for customer-centric service,” said Mike Larson. “I appreciate all of LES’s help to get us to this point, and I’m excited for the future.”

Today, Andres is leading Waytek into its next phase with clarity and values. And LES continues to support Waytek and Andres, reinforcing a partnership built on trust, candor, and purpose.

This engagement demonstrates what’s possible when a company of Waytek’s caliber leads with intention and values. Their CEO transition not only secured the right leader, but also affirmed their commitment to culture, growth, and excellence. For organizations facing leadership change, Waytek’s story is a blueprint for how to get it right, with the right partners by your side.