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Sun CEO Scott McNealy Steps Down

By BetaNews Staff, BetaNews

April 24, 2006, 5:20 PM

Following a flurry of rumors, Sun Microsystems on Monday disclosed that Scott McNealy, the company's founder and CEO for the past 22 years, will step down from his chief executive position. Sun COO Jonathan Schwartz will replace McNealy effective immediately.

McNealy's departure comes as Sun reported a quarterly net loss of $217 million as it struggles to increase revenue and market share amidst growing competition from rivals such as IBM. McNealy will remain on as company Chairman and will devote his time to "expanding market opportunities," Sun said in a statement in which it called the change part of an "on-going succession planning process."

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By roj

posted Apr 25, 2006 - 3:45 PM

Here's hoping the new guy has more intelligence than the twit who claimed that all employees needed to do their job was email and a text editor.

Score: 0

By GoodThings2Life

posted Apr 24, 2006 - 10:49 PM

It's about time he step aside... Maybe Sun can actually reclaim some credibility and status.

Score: 0

By horsecharles

posted Apr 24, 2006 - 8:21 PM

Google needs to buy SUN.

Score: 0

By phatb0b

posted Apr 24, 2006 - 6:28 PM

It will be odd (to me) that neither McNealy nor Bill Joy are left at Sun. It is the end of an era I suppose.

Score: 0

By bobreilly

edited Apr 24, 2006 - 6:08 PM

it's sad to see that Scott has overstayed his tenure. Sun was great but they haven't done much lately - where is the super-duper-ultra-sparc? isn't there a rule about founders not staying 22 years and running the company into the ground?

Score: 0

By bk74

posted Apr 25, 2006 - 11:12 AM

So, what do you think this is?
http://www.sun.com/processors/UltraSPARC-T1/

Score: 0

By AlanRivaldo

posted Apr 24, 2006 - 10:18 PM

"...but they haven't done much lately..."

I haven't really followed Sun, but 'lately' is about 5 years or so, right?

Score: 0

By bourgeoisdude

posted Apr 24, 2006 - 5:46 PM

Wow...must be some pending patent dispute that hasn't been made public yet :)

Seriously, I had no idea of any "flurry of rumors" leading up to this...to what are you referring, "BetaNews staff"?