Sun Microsystems Names New Software Executives - Company Operations

Edge: Work-Group Computing Report, Dec 6, 1999

Sun Microsystems, Inc. Thursday announced new roles and responsibilities for executives in its Software Products and Platforms group. Along with these changes, Sun created a new group to focus on working with the ever-expanding community of Java and Jini technology licensees and also consolidated development for the Java and Jini technologies into a single engineering group.

"We're serious about being more inclusive and cooperative with the community of developers committed to the further evolution of Java and Jini as ubiquitous, cross-platform and, most importantly, compatible technologies for the development and deployment of Internet applications and services," said Patricia C. Sueltz, President of Sun's Software Products and Platforms group. "In four short years, Sun has emerged as an important player in the software world and the Java Platform has helped ignite the explosive growth in Internet applications and services. With these organizational changes, Sun is integrating Java and Jini technology development to better serve the entire spectrum of web-based product opportunities, while also fostering greater partner involvement in the on-going evolution of the Java and Jini technologies through the Java Community Process."

Effective immediately, the following executives will report to Patricia Sueltz, President of Sun's Software Products and Platforms group.

George Paolini, Vice President, Java Community Development. The Java Community Development Group will be headed by George Paolini, formerly Vice President of Marketing for Sun's Software Products and Platforms. Paolini and his team are responsible for ensuring the widespread adoption of Java, Jini and other technologies and will work with partner companies to drive the community process that evolves the technologies.

Rich Green, Vice President, Java Software Development. The newly-formed Java Software Development Group headed by Rich Green, former Vice President, Solaris Products Group, is responsible for producing the Java and Jini software technologies, including all development and product engineering for Java 2 Platform, Micro Edition; Java 2 Platform, Standard Edition; Java 2 Platform, Enterprise Edition; Java Card ; Java Consumer Applications; Java Consumer Platforms; Jini Platform and Products; and the Java Compatibility suites.

Mike Clary, Vice President, Business Development, Sales and Services. Clary, formerly head of the Consumer and Embedded Software group, will be responsible for strategic marketing and business development for all Sun Software Products and Platforms business opportunities. Jay Puri, current head of software sales, will become Vice President, Asia Pacific Sales, for Sun's Computer Systems organization after the close of the quarter.

David Gee, Vice President, Marketing for Sun Software Products and Platforms. Gee joins Sun from IBM. He is responsible for all public relations, branding, event marketing, web marketing, technical marketing and marketing programs.

Rob Gingell, Chief Technology Officer, Software Products and Platforms. Gingell, a Sun Fellow, was Vice President, Architecture and Technology.

In addition to these changes, several executives who were instrumental in the development and growth of the Java and Jini technologies will join Sun Microsystems Laboratories (Sun Labs) to focus on the development and introduction of new advanced technologies and architectures that further Sun's vision of access to the Internet and network services anytime, anywhere, from any device. Jon Kannegaard (former Vice President and General Manager, Java Software), James Gosling (Sun Fellow and former Vice President, Chief Scientist, Java Software) and Jim Mitchell (Sun Fellow and former Vice President, Architecture and Technology) will join Sun Labs effective immediately. Mitchell is promoted to head Sun Labs, reporting to Greg Papadopoulos Sun's Chief Technology Officer. Kannegaard will act as liaison between the product groups and Sun Labs, responsible for rapidly integrating new R&D breakthroughs into products.

Since its inception in 1982, a singular vision -- The Network Is The Computer -- has propelled Sun Microsystems, Inc. (Nasdaq:SUNW), to its position as a leading provider of industrial-strength hardware, software and services that power the Internet and allow companies worldwide to ".com" their businesses. With $12.4 billion in annual revenues, Sun can be found in more than 170 countries and on the World Wide Web at http://www.sun.com.