Original URL: https://www.theregister.com/2012/02/06/micron_new_ceo/
Micron grabs almost-retired COO for chief
Mark Durcan will take over as CEO after death of Steve Appleton
Posted in Channel, 6th February 2012 11:35 GMT
Chip-maker Micron Technology has named a new CEO following the death of Steve Appleton on Friday in a plane crash.
Micron named former chief operating officer Mark Durcan, who had been standing in as chief following the accident, as the new CEO for the firm.
Just two weeks ago, Micron had said that Durcan was planning to retire from the company, but he has now said he is committed to his new role.
"We are deeply saddened by Steve's loss and will miss his hand at the helm," Durcan said in a canned statement. "I have provided the Board my ongoing commitment to work with the management team and continue to move the company forward."
Along with the new CEO appointment, Micron also announced that its director Robert Switz would be taking over as chairman of the board and VP of worldwide sales Mark Adams would be moving to president.
Durcan has been with the company since 1984, and has served as president, COO and chief technology officer during his time there.
"We are fortunate to be able to appoint someone with Mark's operations and technical leadership experience to serve as the company's CEO," said Robert Switz. "Mark has been instrumental in Micron's success in his role as President and COO and has garnered the respect of the company, his team members and the industry at large."
Steve Appleton died on Friday morning after crashing a single-engine, fixed-wing Lancair, an experimental plane often used by stunt fliers. Appleton was 51 years old and one of the youngest CEOs and chairmen in the Fortune 500. ®