Interesting Management Moves from EMC

EMC announced that Pat Gelsinger of Intel would become President of Information Infrastructure at EMC - Dave Donatelli's old gig.  He is a techy chip guy, which is interesting in and of itself - but clearly, he's a volume producing commodity guy and EMC is going to move its infrastructure products toward that end sooner or later.  Now it seems sooner is the order of the day.

What I find more interesting, however, is that EMC put Gelsinger, Howard Elias, and Dave Goulden into the "Office of the Chairman" along with Joe T. and Bill Teuber.

We've all been speculating wildly about Joe T.'s successor for some time now.  Does this make it more obvious or more cloudy?

Perhaps the most telling line in the release is this (from Joe Tucci): 

"Bill Teuber, the EMC Board and I extend a warm and heartfelt welcome to Howard, David and Pat as they join us to form the EMC Executive Office of the Chairman. These are three world-class leaders at the top of their game. We look forward to the impact of their combined vision, strategic view and operational excellence. Together we will strengthen EMC's position as a major player in some of the hottest and fastest-growing market opportunities in all of IT and take EMC into its next phase of growth and market leadership

Is the fact that Bill Teuber is specifically called out merely protocol?  I think it says something.  Could Mr. T be the next CEO?  He is a Babson guy, and therefore is clearly qualified.  If the theory that John Chambers is really Joe's succession plan is inaccurate (i.e. we'll sell it to Cisco), then sooner or later EMC needs a clear successor.  Teuber fits the bill as he's been there forever, knows where all the bodies are, and has been trusted by Joe at the top of the pile.  It remains pure speculation, but I suppose he fits the bill as well as any.  My guess is we won't know until the fat lady has sung.  I don't think this will be an orderly NetApp type succession.

Maybe that's the plan - EMC has done nothing but win with Joe at the helm, so perhaps that is the board's idea - keep him longer by NOT finding the right successor.  He's going to be a tough act to follow regardless.

Comments

[Anil Gupta]

EMC seems to be following similar succession strategy as GE did with Immelt, Nardelli and McNerney. Bill, Howard, David and Pat vying for top spot, after Joe, in 18 - 24 months.

----Could be. As Mark Twomey pointed out, Pat G. has everything except VMware and Cloud (Atmos, Mozy, etc.) reporting to him, including RSA, Documentum, and Ionix. It seems to be the biggest job in the joint behind Joe, at least on paper. Does this make him heir apparent - or more likely, this is the field test. One can believe that he was sold on the opportunity to become the next in line if he proves himself in this role.

Steve