Original URL: https://www.theregister.com/2013/09/17/netapp_evp_exits/

NetApp exec veep hands his papers in, shuffles off to mystery startup

Manish 'one step from God' Goel moves to pastures new

By Chris Mellor

Posted in Storage, 17th September 2013 09:58 GMT

NetApp's executive vice president of product operations, Manish Goel, is no longer with the company.

The company filed an 8-K form with the SEC saying Goel would go on September 20 after having tendered his resignation on September 9. Goel was one step down from God, as it were, reporting to CEO Tom Georgens.

According to CRN Goel - seen below in a video briefing - is leaving to become a CEO at a privately-owned data analytics company in the Bay area.

George Kurian takes over Goel's EVP product ops position, coming from being the SVP for Data ONTAP group. Kurian is now "responsible for overseeing the strategy and development of NetApp’s Product and Solutions portfolio."

Manish Goel video presentation earlier this year.

Goel joined NetApp in March 2002 as a senior director for corporate development, running NetApp's India operations from May 2003 to August 2004, then being VP for enterprise accounts, and becoming the senior veep and general manager of the software group in October 2005. He got the exec veep slot in January four years ago.

For an EVP at NetApp there is nowhere else to rise except for the CEO slot, and incumbent Tom Georgens isn't going anywhere anytime soon. So Goel goes to be a top man at a start-up. Good luck. ®