OK. Here's the first "rag" copy I've seen on John Slitz. From CRN:
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Novell Hires IBM Exec
By Stuart Glascock
Provo, Utah
7:30 p.m. EST Wed., Aug. 6, 1997
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Novell Inc. has named John Slitz, IBM vice president of object technology/application development
marketing, as senior vice president of marketing. Slitz will take over responsibility for Novell's
marketing and corporate communications and will report to Novell CEO Eric Schmidt.
The appointment is effective August 19. Slitz, 47, will relocate from Connecticut and work from the
Novell's San Jose offices.
In an interview with CRN Online, Slitz said he was attracted to the post by Novell's undervalued
technology and its new Internet-savvy CEO Schmidt, formerly Chief Technology Officer of Sun
Microsystems, Inc.
"We are in the midst of the largest networking revolution in history and here's the largest networking
company that seem to be left on the sidelines and I think that is an irresistible opportunity," he said.
"The second thing is they have attracted an absolute world-class technologist as CEO to navigate
through these changes with the kind of credibility only someone who knows technology can bring to
it."
Sources close to the company said his main mission will be to focus and beef up the marketing and
communications messages. Slitz agreed.
"Novell has not had a strong marketing presence and they've had a number of false starts," he said.
"I'm not a forensic marketing expert, but looking forward, we've got a new CEO who is committed to
marketing. The company is in the midst of a turnaround and a transition, and I think I bring a wide
range of experience as to how to work very effectively."
Asked about specific plans, he was diplomatic: "I'd like at least show up the first day before I
reorganize the company. The issue is more one of trust and focus and judgment."
Slitz assumes the post at a time of dramatic restructuring at the struggling networking software giant.
The company in May suffered worse-than-expected quarterly earnings and immediately initiated a
substantial workforce reduction plan and channel inventory reduction program. The company laid off
1,000 workers after posting a net loss of $14.63 million, or 4 cents per share, for its second fiscal
quarter ended April 30. About 30 percent of Novell's upper management, including President Joe
Marengi, left the company.
In a prepared statement, Schmidt said Slitz will play a key role in the company's goal of becoming a
major force in expanding the networking marketplace.
Slitz worked for IBM for about 12 years, culminating in his position as vice president of object
technology/application development marketing. He has also been a senior marketing executive with
Object Management Group, Inc., a non-profit consortium of software developers.
"Around here, we're thrilled," said Raymond Nasr, assistant to Schmidt. "This is good news for
Novell."
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Joe... |
