Sun Microsystems president and chief operating officer Edward Zander is to retire at the age of 55, effective 1 July, 2002. He will be succeeded by Scott McNealy, chairman and CEO of the company.
Zander will remain with the company for the balance of the calendar year, taking on a teaching and mentoring role, and assisting McNealy with the transition.
Zander comments: "This is a decision I have considered carefully over the past year. As we are marching down the path back to profitability, and have, for the most part completed our massive product and customer engagement transitions, I believe I have accomplished what I set out to do."
The company does not intend to name a replacement for Zander as it looks towards a new strategic direction. McNealy states: "Looking ahead, our business structure has changed, evolving from a portfolio of companies to a single, integrated organisation."