Intel announced a reorganization of its business structure under new CEO Pat Gelsinger, creating units to boost its focus on network and edge, software and compute products.
The company’s Data Platform Group is being shuffled into two new divisions: a Datacenter and AI unit led by longtime executive Sandra Rivera as EVP and GM, and a Network and Edge group, which unites its former Network Platforms, Internet of Things and Connectivity groups. The latter will be led by Stanford professor and Barefoot Networks co-founder Nick McKeown. Intel acquired Barefoot Networks in 2019, after which McKeown served as a part-time Intel Senior Fellow.
Navin Shenoy, hitherto EVP and GM of the Data Platform Group, will leave the company on July 6.
Intel also created two entirely new business units, including a Software and Advanced Technology Group and an Accelerated Computing Systems and Graphics Group which will home in on high-performance computing. Former VMware SVP and CTO Greg Lavender will head the former division as SVP and GM, and he will also serve as CTO responsible for Intel’s technical innovation and research programs.
Raja Koduri, previously Intel’s GM of of Architecture, Graphics and Software, will lead the new compute and graphics unit. All four group heads will report directly to CEO Pat Gelsinger.
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In a statement, Gelsinger said the company “must move faster to fulfill our ambitions,” adding that installing the new group heads will “sharpen our focus and execution, accelerate innovation, and unleash the deep well of talent across the company.”
Gelsinger was named CEO of Intel in January, replacing outgoing chief Bob Swan. His appointment marked a return to the company, where he worked for 30 years before leaving in 2009. He most recently served as CEO of VMware.
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Moor Insights and Strategy founder and principal analyst Patrick Moorhead told Fierce he wasn’t surprised by the shakeup, noting “every new CEO changes organizations once they figure out what they want to accomplish.”
He added current chief Pat Gelsinger “said he wanted to elevate tech talent and wanted to get great at software again and his actions indicate this is what he is doing. I believe a flatter organization is better at this juncture as it should enable faster decision making and execution.”