[Sydney, AUSTRALIA] Eric Benhamou,chairman of 3Com Corporation has resigned as CEO, appointing
Bruce Claflin to take over the post as of January 1, 2001. Claflin is 3Com’s
president and chief operating officer. Benhamou will continue as chairman of
3Com’s board of directors.
Benhamou appointed Claflin as president and chief operating officer in
August 1998. Claflin was responsible for 3Com’s worldwide operations
including all product and service businesses, sales and marketing. Claflin
played a key role in 3Com’s recent transformation. Prior to joining the
company, Claflin worked for Digital Equipment Corporation and IBM. At
Digital, he served as senior vice president and general manager for sales
and marketing. At IBM, where he worked for 22 years, Claflin held several
senior positions including leading the team responsible for introducing
IBM’s ThinkPad line of laptops.
At 3Com’s annual shareholder meeting in Santa Clara, Benhamou said, “I
believe it is in the best interest of a company and its leader, to
self-rejuvenate. It’s been my privilege to serve as 3Com’s CEO for ten
years, a long time in this industry.”
“This transition is taking place at the right time for the right reasons and
to the right person,” Benhamou continued. “3Com has completed a radical
strategic transformation and entered a new phase of growth. Clearly, Bruce
Claflin is the right person to continue this positive momentum. When I met
with 3Com’s board and nominated him to become CEO, I did so knowing he is
ready, he is committed, and 3Com employees are ready to follow him.”
Benhamou will continue to serve as the chairman of 3Com’s board of directors
working closely with Claflin business strategy and technology issues. 3Com’s
board is establishing a technology committee which Benhamou will chair “to
ensure the company’s technology strategy receives the highest levels of
visibility and commitment.” Benhamou will continue to serve as chairman of
Palm, Inc. and will join the board of Atrica, a 3Com directed startup.