EMC undergoes big exec reshuffle

As Tucci eyes retirement.

EMC unveiled a major shift in its executive team that brought two of its most senior personnel closer to the top even as the company ponders what life without Chairman and CEO Joe Tucci might someday be like.

EMC on Thursday said Vice Chairman William "Bill" Teuber is now a member of the Office of the Chairman where he will be tasked to look at strategy and business development in emerging markets, assist with government relations and work with the company's Board of Directors.

Teuber is slated to continue sponsoring EMC's largest accounts in order to work with the storage giant to develop future executives, the company said.

EMC also said that 27-year EMC veteran sales exec Bill Scannell was promoted to the position of president of global sales and customer operations.

Scannell, who started as an EMC sales rep, has been a force in pushing EMC's direct sales team towards the channel. He is taking over the global sales leadership role, which Teuber previously managed.

Scannell was previously executive Vice President, Americas and Europe, Middle East and Africa for EMC.

The appointments come at a time when storage industry watchers are closely examining succession plans as EMC's Tucci considers the timing of his retirement.

Tucci in the past indicated that he planned to retire in 2012, when he turned 65 years of age.

However, Tucci in January said EMC's Board requested he remain chairman and CEO into 2013 because of the company's business performance and sound prospects for continued success.

In addition to the Teuber and Scannell promotions, EMC also raised the profile of a number of other executives.

These include the assumption by John Hanlon, previously EMC leader for U.S. commercial business, of all sales and customer operations in the Americas, and promotion of Joe Eazor to the position of COO for global sales and customer operations from his previous role where he oversaw EMC's global customer accounts and OEMs.

An EMC spokesperson said the transition in EMC's sales team was done with no departure of existing executives.

Scannell's move to worldwide sales responsibilities provided room for Hanlon to take over his old position, and Eazor's global COO position in sales and customer operations was a newly created position, the spokesperson said.

This article originally appeared at crn.com