In naming Mark V. Hurd, the former chief executive of Hewlett-Packard, as Oracle’s new co-president, Lawrence J. Ellison, Oracle’s chief executive and largest shareholder, really has put his money where his controversial mouth is.
Late Monday, Oracle announced that Mr. Hurd had joined the company as president and as a director. Mr. Hurd resigned from H.P. one month ago, after an investigation by the board into a personal relationship with a contractor turned up questionable expenses. Mr. Ellison, a personal friend of Mr. Hurd, criticized H.P.’s board last month in an e-mail to The Times, saying it had made one of the worst personnel decisions in recent business history.
Now, Oracle intends to capitalize on H.P.’s mistake, according to Mr. Ellison.
“Mark did a brilliant job at H.P. and I expect he’ll do even better at Oracle,” Mr. Ellison said in the statement. “There is no executive in the I.T. world with more relevant experience than Mark.”
Oracle already had a crowded management suite with Charles E. Phillips Jr. and Safra A. Catz serving as co-presidents under Mr. Ellison.
Mr. Phillips, however, has resigned and given up his seat on the board, making room for Mr. Hurd.
This article, orginally appeared on the website of the New York Times.
