AMD Key Turnover's Raise Risks

AMD AMD (NYSE) has experienced a number of key turnovers lately that place increased pressure on the firm. On Wednesday the company announced that Henri Richard, head of the company's sales and marketing, will step down from his post in September. Richard came to AMD in 2002 after working at WebGain, a Java software company. Prior to Webgain he worked at Bell Microproducts and IBM. His decision to leave and "... move to a different business segment," comes at a very difficult time for AMD. They are about to launch their long delayed Barcelona chip. AMD hopes the new chip will put them back in the game again after a very difficult year. On top of Richard's decision to leave, last month the company lost Dave Orton, the head of the company's graphics business. Orton left after AMD acquired ATI Technologies.

Both men were an integral part of the company's management team. Richard was particularly important to the company. He was often the public face of the firm's sales operation and was considered an integral part of the company's success over the last few years. Keep an eye on how AMD replaces Richard and what they intend to do to stay in the game.


For more on the changes see:


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