Emerson was appointed to the board in 1989 and became chairman in 1993. Alan Horn, current chief financial officer, will be the new chairman and, as previously announced, he will be replaced as CFO by Bill Linton, now executive vice-president
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Among several changes, Peter Godsoe has also been named lead director of the board. He is the former chairman and CEO of Scotiabank and a director and chairman of several other major corporations.

“I’ve been chairman for 13 years and I am pleased with the progress of the company over that time,” Emerson said in a release. “Now is an appropriate time to pursue other endeavours as a corporate director.”

CEO Ted Rogers paid tribute to Emerson, saying: “Gar has been an excellent chairman and has provided great leadership, including in the important area of corporate governance.”

Rogers also said Godsoe’s “broad experience will be of tremendous benefit to the other board members and to Rogers.”

Horn joined the Rogers group in 1990 as president and chief operating officer of the Rogers private companies. In 1996 he became CFO of Rogers Communications.

Ted Rogers said Horn “has gained an in-depth knowledge of all of our businesses while commanding the respect of the members of our board and management team.”

Linton has served as CFO for both Rogers Wireless and Rogers Cable in the past and was CEO of Call-Net Enterprises Inc. before it was acquired by Rogers last July.

Rogers Communications is a diversified Canadian communications and media company engaged in four primary lines of business, wireless, cable TV, telephony and media, including its sports entertainment businesses.