RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. - Jim Pertzborn, the head of IBM's Networking Hardware Division (NHD) since last October, will be leaving the division to become general manager of personal computers and network computers at IBM's Personal Systems Group, company sources say. Pertzborn replaces Bob Dies, who is retiring after 30 years at Big Blue.
IBM named as replacement at NHD Michel Mayer, a 15-year IBM veteran who was vice president of the division's research and development arm. The change is effective immediately. IBM sources say the transition from Pertzborn to Mayer will be smooth. Before becoming a vice president in June 1998, Mayer was general manager of NHD's labs in La Gaude, France.
"In a relatively short period of time, we have become successful with our line of Ethernet switches and remote access products and I look forward to continuing this effort," Mayer says. "I will also increase our focus to OEM our technology to other companies, which is part of the IBM Technology Group's primary initiative. Overall, I'm here to make sure all our offerings are competitive and affordable for our customers and business partners."
In his last job, Mayer, 39, handled the worldwide development and maintenance of NHD's products, working to integrate the division's products, technologies and processes into IBM's long-term strategy.
