Sun Microsystems Names New CEO

By DE Editors

Sun Microsystems (Santa Clara, CA) announced yesterday that its boardof directors has appointed Jonathan Schwartz as its CEO chief executiveofficer.  Schwartz succeeds Scott McNealy, who will continueserving as chairman of the board. The succession takes effectimmediately. Schwartz also retains the title of president.

According to the press release, Schwartz’s appointment is the result ofthe company’s on-going succession planning process and is effectiveimmediately. Schwartz, 40, is reported to have joined Sun in 1996, whenthe company acquired Lighthouse Design, Ltd., where he also served asCEO. Since 2004, Schwartz has served Sun as its COO, where he and hasbeen responsible for Sun’s product development, sales, marketing andoperations. Schwartz has held numerous other positions at Sun. Schwartzalso retains the title of president.

Schwartz, according to Sun, began his career as a consultant tofinancial services companies with McKinsey and Co., Inc. He holdseconomics and mathematics degrees from Wesleyan University.

McNealy, 51, co-founded Sun Microsystems in 1982 with AndyBechtolsheim, Bill Joy, and Vinod Khosla. The company says that he willremain a full-time employee, focusing his efforts on expanding marketopportunities in the areas of government, academics, and strategicpartner relationships. McNealy will also assume the role of chairman ofSun Federal Inc., which focuses exclusively on US government business.

For the complete press release as issued by Sun, click here.
 
Sources: Press materialsreceived from the company.