Cambridge, Mass.-based tech research firm Giga Information Group on Friday announced the departure of CEO Robert Weiler, who quit the post to take over a private Boston area start-up.
Weiler resigned his position as Giga’s chairman, effective immediately, but will stick around in the CEO/President slots until October 17 to “assist in the transition process after his replacement is named,” the company said.
Giga spokesperson Christina Thirkell declined to comment on the sudden departure of Weiler, who is leaving to assume the CEO spot at an unnamed area technology company. “We are not commenting beyond what’s in the statement, Thirkell said.
Giga, which provides analysis and advice on IT issues, said the board of board of directors has initiated an executive search for a new CEO. Thirkell could not say if a deadline has been fixed for the hiring of a new boss to replace Weiler.
Long-time Giga board member Richard Crandall will assume the post as non-executive chairman of the board. Crandall has served as a Giga director since August 1995 and was a consultant to Giga from July 1998 until June 2000.
The departure of Weiler comes at a time when the technology research industry is going through a bit of a recession. Giga, which competes with the likes of Forrester Research, Gartner and the META Group, has felt the crunch of the tech spending downturn that has led to layoffs and cost-cutting moves.
Prior to assuming the reins at Giga, Weiler was president and CEO of Eastman Software (formerly Wang Software). Before that, he served as senior VP for Lotus Development Corp., where he was instrumental in the expansion of the company’s Lotus Notes business.
“It has been an extremely difficult decision to leave Giga and the people here. However, I have felt the pull to return to my roots in the software business where I began my career,” Weiler said. “I am confident that I’ll be leaving Giga in good hands under the leadership of a strong management team and in a sound financial position.”
