Dell promotes Rollins to CEO's office

Electronic News, Dec 15, 1997

Round Rock, Texas--Michael S. Dell, fast approaching the ripe old age of 40, added another member to his Office of the Chief Executive. Dell Computer expanded the Office of the CEO to three people by promoting Kevin B. Rollins to vice chairman. Mr. Rollins joined Dell only a year and a half-ago from consultants Bain and Company (EN, People In The News, March 18, 1996), though he had been working with Dell from that company.

Mr. Rollins is promoted from his position as senior VP, corporate strategy, and president of Dell Americas.

Dell also promoted Thomas B. Green to senior VP, law and administration, reporting to the Office of the CEO. He was previously VP, general counsel and secretary.

Michael S. Dell, chairman and chief executive officer, and Morton L. Topfer, vice chairman, are the other members of the Office of the CEO. Together, Messrs. Dell, Topfer and Rollins will oversee all strategy, operations and executive staff functions for the direct computer systems company.

Mr. Dell will continue to focus on overall company strategy and technology direction; Mr. Topfer will oversee operations and the Europe and Asia/Pacific regions; and Mr. Rollins will focus on worldwide sales, marketing and service, and oversee the Americas and Japan regions.

In his new position, Mr. Green will continue to serve as general counsel and will additionally oversee worldwide human resources. "Tom has provided invaluable legal counsel during a period of extremely rapid growth for our company," Mr. Dell said. "Just as important, he is well respected for his ability to motivate and develop talented people, which is critical to our sustained success."

During Mr. Rollins' tenure as president of Dell Americas, the region has achieved compound annual revenue growth of 66 percent. Dell puts that at more than three times the rate of overall industry growth.

Mr. Rollins' position as president of Dell Americas has been eliminated. As part of the company's preparation for continued expansion, Dell earlier this year named Joseph A. Marengi, senior VP/GM of the Americas unit responsible for enterprise, large corporate and medium business customers; Rosendo G. Parra, VP/GM of the unit serving governmental and educational customers, as well as those in Latin America and Canada; and Paul D. Bell, VP/GM of the unit serving small businesses and consumers. All three executives will report to the Office of the CEO.

Prior to joining Dell in 1996, Mr. Rollins for 12 years was associated with Bain and Co., most recently as director and partner. In the latter position, he worked with Dell for more than two and a half-years, according to the company.

Mr. Green joined Dell in 1994 from a position as executive VP and general counsel of Chicago Title and Trust, one of the U.S. largest title-insurance organizations. Prior to that, he was executive VP and general counsel for Trammell Crow Co., the real estate development corporation based in Dallas.