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AMD loses three key execs

by on13 January 2015


Byrne, LaForce and Naik are out

AMD has lost three high-profile executives. The execs apparently left the company to “pursue other opportunities.”

Perhaps the most familiar name on the list is John Byrne, the general manager of AMD’s Computing and Graphics Business Group. Byrne was promoted to the position just recently. Before he became AMD’s “chip boss” he was the chief sales officer.

AMD Chief Marketing Officer Colette LaForce has left as well. Prior to joining AMD in 2012, LaForce worked at Dell and several smaller tech outfits. Earlier this year she was named as one of the 50 most powerful women in tech.

AMD Chief Strategy Officer Raj Naik is the third executive on the list. He was appointed to his position in early 2012, following a decade spent at McKinsey & Company, where he advised various tech and telecom companies.

AMD is not saying that the execs were fired – the company is using the standard “other opportunities” line as usual. The departures come just four months after AMD appointed Lisa Su as CEO. It should be noted that Su was promoted to SVP before LaForce joined the company and before Naik and Byrne were bumped up to their last positions.

The chipmaker has long faced criticism due to bloat and at a couple of years ago AMD had more than a hundred high-ranking execs (namely VPs) despite the fact that it has been losing ground to Intel for years.

Last modified on 13 January 2015
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