SHORT TAKES

SILICON IMAGE APPOINTS STEVE TIRADO

Sunnyvale, CALIF. — Silicon Image, a price/performance leader in high-bandwidth semiconductor solutions for mass markets, announced the appointment of Steve Tirado to the position of chief operating officer (COO). Tirado, formerly executive vice president of marketing and business development for Silicon Image and a 13-year executive veteran of Sun Microsystems, Inc., continues to report to Silicon Image’s President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman Dr. David Lee. To further augment its executive management team, Silicon Image has recruited seasoned industry executive Badar Baqai from Fujitsu Microelectronics Inc. (FMI) to serve as executive vice president of engineering, reporting to Tirado. Commenting on the appointments, Lee noted, “We are building our infrastructure to position Silicon Image for future growth and to execute our strategy to address multiple mass markets. Since our initial public offering last year, Silicon Image’s revenues and served markets, as well as our number of product lines and employees, have grown significantly. Steve’s strong leadership capabilities and intimate knowledge of the company’s strategy and operations make him the ideal candidate to run the company’s day-to-day operations-enabling me to focus on strategic initiatives and the application of our state-of-the-art reduced overhead, multi-serial link (MSL) technology to new mass markets.” Lee added, “We are also pleased to strengthen our engineering organization and executive team with the addition of Badar, whose senior management expertise and extensive system design and development experience at a leading global IC manufacturer will prove instrumental in directing our multi-product and multi-market technology efforts worldwide.”

In his new role, Tirado oversees Silicon Image’s day-to-day operations, including the functional areas of marketing, sales, engineering, finance and operations. Tirado joined Silicon Image in 1999 and was instrumental in the company’s successful initial public offering and subsequent entrance into the consumer electronics and storage markets. Prior to joining Silicon Image, Tirado served as vice president of marketing for Sun Microsystems, where he was responsible for driving the marketing and sales development efforts for several product areas, including desktop, server and software products. He also served as general manager for Sun’s Latin American subsidiary in Mexico. Baqai has more than 23 years of experience in computer system and semiconductor design, combined with extensive executive management and P&L management experience. An 11-year FMI veteran, Baqai most recently served as executive vice president of FMI’s System Solutions Group, where he had P&L responsibility for all U.S. logic businesses, including High-end LAN/WAN, Network Access/Home Gateway and Wireless Communications. Prior to that, he was vice president for FMI’s System Solutions (ASIC business), business unit vice president and vice president of engineering for the Processor Products Group, and director of engineering for Processor Products. Before joining FMI, Baqai held technical staff and engineering positions with Sun Microsystems and Signetics/Philips Microsystems. Baqai holds a master’s degree in electrical engineering from the University of California, Los Angeles, and a master’s degree in business administration.

CALDERA NAMES DONAKEY VP AND CHIEF OF STAFF

Orem, UTAH — Caldera Systems, Inc., a “Linux for Business” leader, named Edgie E. Donakey to the position of vice president and chief of staff. Donakey had served as Caldera’s director of international marketing and director of the mergers and acquisitions team since February 2000. In his new position, Donakey oversees the successful integration of mergers and acquisitions and acts as part of the Office of the CEO. “Ed’s attention to detail and abilities to multi-task and synchronize many departments – with energetic follow-through – made him the natural choice,” said Ransom Love, president and CEO of Caldera Systems. “His background in sales, marketing, technology, and administration is a tremendous contribution to Caldera, particularly as we move into the future with The Santa Cruz Operation’s Server Software and Professional Services Divisions.” Before joining Caldera, Donakey was an executive for 3Com Corporation. There he directed business unit localization and provided oversight for cross- functional departments, including international marketing, publications and production. While president and COO of The Bison Group, Donakey designed and implemented strategies for Fortune 500 companies. Earlier in his career, Donakey held technical and management positions at WordPerfect Corporation and Novell, Inc. His responsibilities included supervising the later stages of the Novell-Word Perfect merger.

“Working at Caldera while acquiring two divisions of SCO has shown me that this is the company with the people and technology to transform the Linux and UNIX industries,” said Donakey. “I feel confident in Caldera’s ability to deliver superior Internet open software that will meet any business’ infrastructure needs.” Donakey earned his bachelor’s degree in philosophy and completed graduate studies in political philosophy.

VIRTUALFUND NAMES SENIOR OFFICERS

Minneapolis, MINN. — VirtualFund.com, Inc. announced a number of actions including the suspension of Melvin Masters as chairman of the board, the appointment of Timothy Duoos, a prominent Minneapolis businessman as vice chairman of the board and the appointment of an interim chief financial officer, Michael Coughlin, and acting corporate secretary, Joseph Beckman. On November 24, VirtualFund announced that the board had placed Masters on a leave of absence as chief executive officer and president pending a review of the company’s business-to-business e-commerce business strategy and use of funds to support that strategy. VirtualFund has also previously announced that while that review is proceeding, 70 employees of the company were also placed on paid leave or vacation.

In a prior action, the VirtualFund board appointed Robert L. Kelly as acting chief executive officer. Kelly was founder and president of Rymatics Software, a software and computer graphics firm, recently acquired by VirtualFund, and has 20 years of computer and technology industry management experience with companies including Cray Research, TV Guide Networks and with the Minnesota Supercomputer Center. Coughlin, a certified public accountant, has 15 years of financial management experience and was formerly chief financial officer of Virtual University Enterprises, Inc., a global Internet IT certification and training provider to companies such as Microsoft, Novell, IBM and Cisco. Beckman joined VirtualFund last February as senior counsel. A graduate of Georgetown University Law Center, he has been an attorney with law firms in Montana and Minnesota, specializing in litigation, corporate law and employment law.

RED HAT NAMES NEISER CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER

Research Triangle Park, N.C. — Red Hat, Inc., a leader in developing, deploying and managing open source Internet infrastructure solutions, named Dr. James Neiser chief marketing officer. A six-year veteran of IBM, 49-year-old Neiser brings nearly 20 years of experience in marketing, branding and promoting software solutions. “James brings to Red Hat a strong understanding of technology markets, developing global brands and servicing global distribution channels. It is a real coup to have someone with his experience join our rapidly growing company,” said Matthew Szulik, president and CEO of Red Hat. “The entire management team is looking forward to working with James as the Red Hat Network grows to leverage Red Hat’s lead as the top provider of open source solutions spanning Internet infrastructure all the way to next-generation embedded and Web devices.”

Prior to Red Hat, Dr. Neiser held a variety of executive positions at IBM. Most recently, he was the vice president of worldwide distribution channel and customer set (small and medium businesses) marketing. In that capacity, he was responsible for working across IBM Software Group, Lotus and Tivoli, toward the integration and development of a common set of programs for all channel partner types and programs targeted at mid-market customers. Prior to this, Dr. Neiser served as VP of Marketing for the Network Computing Software Division and VP of Marketing for the Networking Software Business Unit. Within IBM, responsibilities have included strategy, product management, brand marketing and go-to-market programs and execution for a wide variety of different offerings. These offerings include security, directory, host integration solutions, communications, Java, wireless and Internet applications and Web sites.”In just a short time Red Hat has generated tremendous leadership momentum,” said Neiser. “I’m looking forward to helping the company continue to revolutionize the software industry and communicate and execute on a powerful vision that delivers the benefits of open source and the Red Hat Network to users worldwide.” Prior to IBM, Neiser held marketing and management positions with a variety of software and packaged goods companies, including Ashton-Tate and Carnation. Neiser has a Ph.D. in Cognitive Psychology from Oklahoma State University specializing in memory and information processing.

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