Hitachi Data Systems (HDS) has quietly swapped CEOs, and at least three of its top executives have left the company in a major management reorganization that went unannounced.
Indeed, HDS's Website still presents a view of the executive team that's out of date. Instead of Dr. Jun Naruse, the CEO is now Shinjiro Iwata, who took the post September 4. Naruse, a 31-year veteran of Hitachi who was appointed CEO when HDS reorganized in April 2000, hasn't gone far, however; he's reportedly left HDS to return to its parent company, Hitachi Ltd. (NYSE: HIT; Paris: PHA).
Shinjiro Iwata has reappeared on the HDS roster after an extended absence. In 1999, he was senior VP of business development at HDS, but with the shuffle in April 2000, he appeared to have dropped from the scene, apparently "headed back to corporate," or Hitachi Ltd.
Iwata's heading up a team that's changed too. Ron Gervenack, former general manager of enterprise products and solutions, has retired. John Lovejoy, former Information Technology Group general manager and chief information officer, and Clive James, former VP and general manager of the OEM Business Unit, have split the scene. Lovejoy had been with the company for about three years; James, for more than 18.
Hitachi spokespeople said the vacated positions have not been filled. They have furnished no information regarding other executive vacancies or the reasons for the reorganization.