News
Senior VP To Leave Struggling Dell
The senior vice president of Dell Inc.'s global online business and marketing division has decided to leave the computer maker rather than oversee the company's new consumer group, according to an internal e-mail.
John Hamlin's departure, announced in an e-mail to several employees last week, marks yet another change to the beleaguered company's executive ranks in the past two months.
It comes a few weeks after founder Michael Dell resumed his role as chief executive officer, replacing Kevin Rollins.
Dell has been making many executive changes lately amid mounting problems that include disappointing earnings, eroding market share, an ongoing federal accounting investigation and several shareholder class-action lawsuits.
In Hamlin's e-mail, first obtained by the Austin American-Statesman for its Tuesday editions, he said he would remain at the company as long as needed to ensure a smooth transition.
Dell spokesman Dwayne Cox said the company was not commenting or responding to media inquiries regarding Hamlin's status. Cox could not provide a copy of the e-mail to The Associated Press.
Michael Dell distributed a wide-ranging memo to employees on Feb. 2 that outlined some of his plans to turn the company around. He wrote that the company was considering an internal candidate to run its new consumer unit, but it didn't specifically name anyone.
Hamlin, who joined Dell in 1996, had been head of Dell's U.S. consumer business from 2000 until 2005.
In December, Dell hired former American Airlines chief Don Carty as vice chairman and chief financial officer and added a former executive from Plano-based Electronic Data Systems Corp. to run its global services division.
Dell also has recently lured executives from General Motors Corp., Hewlett-Packard Co., Amazon.com Inc. and Wells Fargo & Co.
Hamlin said in his e-mail that he was leaving Dell so he could enjoy more time with his family and work for his private investment firm.
"I want everyone to know I am a big believer in the future success of Dell," he wrote. "I have lived through many times of controversy and crisis in the last 11 years, and each time I have seen Michael and the leaders across the company make the necessary changes and move forward."
Dell shares were up 11 cents, or half a percent, to $23.62 in trading Tuesday morning on the Nasdaq Stock Market.