Novell , a provider of networking and directory software and services, said COO Stewart
Nelson, is leaving the company after two years in the post and eight years with the company.
“(Nelson) has always been a valued executive and his accomplishments at Novell are numerous,” said Jack Messman, Novell’s chairman, president and
CEO, in a statement. “He has helped me tremendously over the past six months, and he will be missed.”
A Novell spokesman said Nelson resigned.
Prior to becoming COO, Nelson general manager of the collaboration business unit and oversaw the GroupWise product line. He also served as senior vice
president of research and development at a time when the company brought to market NW5, ZenWorks and a cross-platform directory.
Before its merger with Novell, Nelson worked at WordPerfect as a programmer, director, and vice president of research and development. He also wrote code for
IBM.
Nelson, 40, who also held the title exectuive vice president, will complete his duties over the next several weeks, the company said. His future plans were not
disclosed.
In other management news, Novell said Christopher Stone, who left the company to start his own software company, is back as vice chairman, office of the CEO.
Stone will work closely with Messman in his new post and will oversee engineering, marketing, product management, alliances, and consulting activities.
Novell is based in Provo, Utah, but has a sizeable presence in Kendall Square in Cambridge, Mass., thanks to its
acquisition of Cambridge Technology
Partners (CTP) last year. CTP now serves as its parent company’s services and integration business. Shares of NOVL were up 0.58, or 1 percent, to 3.978 in
afternoon trading.
