Microsoft Adds to Windows Phone Team

Microsoft has promoted Andrew Lees to President of Windows Phone and Windows 8. In the past, he has served as Corporate VP of the Microsoft Server & Tools Marketing and Solutions Group. Prior to joining the Server & Tools Group, Lees held a variety of different roles within the Worldwide Sales, Marketing and Services Group. He joined Microsoft in 1990 and spent 10 years at Microsoft U.K.

CEO Assumes Chairman Role at Verizon; New Board Member Elected

Verizon has confirmed that CEO Lowell McAdam, 56, has replaced Ivan Seidenberg, 65, as Chairman of the Board. Before becoming CEO, McAdam held the titles of COO of Verizon and EVP, COO, and CEO of Verizon Wireless. Prior to joining Verizon, he was the CEO of Primeco, a wireless joint venture between AirTouch and Bell Atlantic.

Founding Member Resigns from Qualcomm Board

Qualcomm announced that co-founder Dr. Irwin Mark Jacobs, 78, has resigned from the company’s Board. He served as CEO of Qualcomm from 1985 to 2005 and as Chairman until 2009. Early in his career, Jacobs co-founded Linkabit, a designer and developer of communications equipment which was later sold to M/A-Com. Jacobs is currently Chair of the Salk Institute for Biological Studies and of the National Academy of Engineering. He has received many business accolades over the years, including the National Medal of Technology in 1994, the IEEE Alexander Graham Bell medal in 1995, the Financial Times Lifetime Achievement award (for 25 years in Telecommunications) in 2005, the IEEE and Royal Society of Edinburgh James Clerk Maxwell Award in 2007, and the Marconi Society Prize in 2011.

Chairman of Emerson Electric on IBM Board

IBM announced that it has elected David Farr, 56, to the company’s Board of Directors. Currently, Farr is the Chairman and CEO of Emerson Electric. He also sits on the boards of the Boy Scouts of America and the Municipal Theater Association of St. Louis. He has been with Emerson for more than 25 years and has held a variety of roles, including SVP, COO, Manager of Investor Relations, VP of Corporate Planning and Development, President of the Ridge Tool Division, and Group VP for the Industrial Components and Equipment Business. Earlier in his career, Farr served as a director for the United Way of Greater St. Louis and DPH Holdings Corporation.

Major Executive Shakeup at Qualcomm

Steve Altman, 49, has been appointed as the new Vice Chairman of Qualcomm. Most recently, Altman served as President of the company. Prior to being named President, Altman served as EVP & President of Qualcomm Technology Licensing. He also serves on the Board of Directors at Amylin Pharmaceuticals.

Steve Jobs Relinquishes CEO Role at Apple; Replacement Announces First Promotion Decision

Apple announced that Steve Jobs, 56, has resigned as CEO of the company. He will continue to serve the company in his new role as Chairman of the Board. Former Apple COO Tim Cook, 50, has assumed the role of CEO. Prior to joining Apple, Cook was the VP of Corporate Materials for Compaq. He came to Compaq from Intelligent Electronics, where he served as COO of the computer reseller division. Cook has also worked at IBM, most recently as the Director of North American Fulfilment.

Qualcomm Expands R&D Exec’s Role to Include CTO Responsibilities

Qualcomm, a wireless communication components company, announced the appointment of Matt Grob as EVP and CTO. In addition to his new responsibilities, Grob will continue to lead Qualcomm's Corporate R&D division and provide oversight to Qualcomm’s Corporate Engineering Services. Grob joined Qualcomm in 1991 as an engineer. Since his promotion to SVP of Corporate R&D in 2006, Grob has expanded the group's mission beyond wireless connectivity into new areas such as Augmented Reality.

Qualcomm Expands Exec’s Role to Include CTO Responsibilities

Qualcomm, a wireless communication components company, announced the appointment of Matt Grob as EVP and CTO. In addition to his new responsibilities, Grob will continue to lead Qualcomm's Corporate R&D division and provide oversight to Qualcomm’s Corporate Engineering Services. Grob joined Qualcomm in 1991 as an engineer.

Qualcomm Names New Asia Sales Head

Qualcomm has named Jim Doh as President and SVP, Worldwide Sales for Qualcomm CDMA Technologies (QCT) Asia. He joined Qualcomm in 1997 and has helped to establish the Qualcomm CDMA Technologies business in Korea, Taiwan, and Japan. Prior to joining Qualcomm, Doh held various technical and business management roles at Intel and Raytheon.