Intel sees departure of three high-level execs

Over the last couple of days news hit the wire about an executive shake-up at Intel. On the first day of the month, Bloomberg wrote Intel executive Aicha Evans handed in her notice at Intel for unknown reasons. Evans joined Intel a decade ago and was appointed as head of the chip giant's struggling mobile phone division less than a year ago.

Evans’s departure comes amid speculation her unit is close to a rare mobile breakthrough by becoming a supplier of parts for Apple Inc.’s iPhone. Barclays Capital analyst Blayne Curtis downgraded his rating on Qualcomm Inc., which supplies the modems in current models, in March saying ‘it is fairly well known at this point that Intel could get some share at Apple this year.”

In an e-mail to employees Monday, Intel confirmed two other important leadership transitions. Doug Davis, the head of the fast-growing Internet of Things unit, resigns after a 32-year career to spend more time with family, friends and other interests. The third executive to leave is Kirk Skaugen, the leader of Intel's shrinking Client Computing Group. Skaugen joined Intel in 1992 and is now looking for his next career opportunity.

Doug Davis has announced that he will retire from Intel at the end of 2016. This is a decision Doug has been considering for some time, and he has decided that he would like to devote more of his time to family, friends, and other interests. Doug first started with Intel in 1984 and has held numerous leadership roles over his 32-year career here. Most recently, Doug has led the Internet of Things Group through a tremendous transition and growth period. Doug’s deep acumen, strong customer relationships, and leadership in the IOT sector has been instrumental to our growth in this space, and the emergence of Intel as one of the most important end-to-end players in the Internet of Things. Doug will continue in his role until a successor is named and an orderly transition is complete.

Additionally, Kirk Skaugen has also decided to leave Intel for his next career opportunity. Kirk has held leadership roles across the organization since joining Intel in 1992, including leadership of our Data Center and Connected Systems Group, PC Client Group, and most recently, leadership of our Client Computing Group (CCG). We are incredibly appreciative of Kirk’s drive, the innovation he’s brought to the PC and Data Center, and his customer orientation. His strategy of segmentation and innovation in our core businesses has been a strong asset to Intel. Kirk’s last day at Intel will also be April 8th. We are pleased to announce that Navin Shenoy will assume responsibility for the CCG organization, and will join Intel’s management committee (MCM).