Intel Corporation announced a significant restructuring of its executive leadership team on Monday, marking a pivotal moment in CEO Lip-Bu Tan’s ongoing efforts to revitalize the company. The most prominent change involves the departure of Michelle Johnston Holthaus, who held the crucial position of product chief. Holthaus, a veteran of over three decades at Intel, has held numerous senior roles, including an interim co-CEO position following the departure of Pat Gelsinger. While leaving her operational role, she will remain as a strategic advisor to the company for the foreseeable future.
The reshuffle also includes the strategic appointment of Kevork Kechichian as executive vice president and general manager of Intel’s Data Center Group. Kechichian brings extensive experience from leading roles at Arm, NXP Semiconductors, and Qualcomm, bolstering Intel’s efforts to strengthen its position in the competitive data center market. Simultaneously, Intel is establishing a new central engineering group under the leadership of Srinivasan Iyengar, Senior Vice President. This new group will focus on building a custom silicon business targeting external customers, signifying a shift towards a more diversified revenue stream.
Further changes involve expanding the responsibilities of Naga Chandrasekaran, who will now oversee both Intel Foundry and Foundry Services. Jim Johnson has been named the new general manager of Intel’s Client Computing Group, completing the significant leadership changes announced. These appointments aim to streamline operations and enhance Intel’s competitiveness across key market segments.
These internal shifts come amidst a backdrop of uncertainty for the chipmaker. Recent political pronouncements, including President Trump’s suggestion of a 10% government stake and calls for Tan’s resignation, add another layer of complexity to the company’s strategic maneuvering as it navigates a challenging technological landscape. The success of these executive changes will be crucial in determining Intel’s ability to execute its turnaround strategy effectively.
