VMware CEO Gelsinger Emphatically Denies Report of His Departure
He tells a conference that the story has no merit or substance.
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VMware CEO Pat Gelsinger has "categorically denied" a media report that he's planning on leaving his post this summer, once his company is absorbed into Dell's.
Speaking at the Jefferies 2016 Technology Conference in Miami, FL, Gelsinger was asked about the report that he's stepping down. Audio of the exchange is available via the VMware Web site. Right at the beginning of his talk, Gelsinger is asked about the CRN story, written by Kevin McLaughlin and published late on May 10.
"I categorically deny it, EMC categorically denies it, and Dell categorically denies it," Gelsinger says, adding that "There's absolutely no merit or substance to the rumor whatsoever."
Gelsinger's denial went beyond just a refutation. "My intention is to stay here, and Michael (Dell)'s intention is that I stay here, as well," he says.
Quoting various unnamed sources, the CRN story charged that among other missteps, Gelsinger was "directly responsible" for vCloud Air's lack of traction in the hybrid cloud market. He was also charged with being inflexible and difficult to work with. "Pat likes to do what Pat likes," the story said, quoting a "high-level EMC source."
Gelsinger didn't respond to those particular charges, but he did continue to issue more strong denials. There is "Absolutely no basis for it (the report) whatsoever," he said.
Those statements this morning follow previous denials from VMware and EMC, VMware's parent company. In the CRN story, spokespersons from both VMware and EMC were quoted as saying that the rumors of Gelsinger's departure are "categorically untrue." A VMware spokesperson reiterated that statement to Virtualization Review.
On its Web site, the Jefferies 2016 Technology Conference said last year's event had more than 150 participating companies and more than 600 attendees. It says that "the conference will again feature an extensive range of companies across the Computer Services & IT Consulting, Data Networking & Wireline Equipment, Internet & Interactive Entertainment, IT Hardware, Semiconductors, Software & Telecom sectors."
Gelsinger's denial is near the beginning of the audio recording, starting at 1:44.
About the Author
Keith Ward is the editor in chief of Virtualization & Cloud Review. Follow him on Twitter @VirtReviewKeith.