Michael Brown appointed interim CEO Symantec, replacing Steve Bennett
MOUNTAIN VIEW, USA: Symantec Corp. from their quarter declared that its board of directors has appointed board member Michael Brown as interim president and chief executive officer, effective immediately.
This appointment follows the termination of Steve Bennett as the company’s president and chief executive officer and his resignation from Symantec’s board of directors. A special committee of the board will immediately begin the search for a permanent CEO with the assistance of a leading executive search firm.
On behalf of Symantec’s board, chairman, Daniel Schulman delineated that- “We recognize Steve’s contributions to Symantec, including developing and leading a series of successful initiatives focused on organizational realignment, cost reduction and process effectiveness. These changes have helped establish a solid foundation for Symantec’s future, and we remain committed to our previously announced greater-than 5 percent organic revenue growth and better-than 30 percent non-GAAP operating margin targets by FY17.”
Supplementing that – “Our priority is now to identify a leader who can leverage our company’s assets and leadership team to drive the next stage of Symantec’s product innovation and growth. This considered decision was the result of an ongoing deliberative process, and not precipitated by any event or impropriety.”
Brown from his part joined Symantec’s board of directors following the company’s merger with VERITAS Software in July 2005, and previously had served as chairman and chief executive officer of Quantum Corporation. Under his leadership, Quantum grew from $3 billion to $6 billion in revenues and held market leadership positions in data back-up and archiving solutions.
More recently, Brown has been a board chairman and chief executive officer coach for several successful technology companies prior to their procurements, including EqualLogic, Line 6 and The Echo Nest. In addition to his deep expertise in growing businesses, Brown also has extensive experience in leading and developing executive management teams.
