SYSTEMS

Sun Microsystems today strengthened its senior management team, announcing the promotion of two highly experienced top managers to oversee services and operations. Effective immediately, Don Grantham, 48, has been promoted to executive vice president of Sun Services, while Eugene McCabe, 52, has been promoted to executive vice president of Worldwide Operations. Both positions report directly to Jonathan Schwartz, president and chief operating officer. Most recently, Grantham served as senior vice president of global customer services, where he saw his role as that of "chief IT health inspector" for Sun customers, ensuring that services is a key decision factor for customers choosing Sun. McCabe was promoted from his post as senior vice president of Worldwide Operations, where he oversaw efforts to drive out cost and complexity while improving operational efficiencies at Sun. One of his most significant accomplishments was to spearhead Sun's Customer Fulfillment in Transit (CFIT) program, designing what is essentially a "zero touch" supply chain unique in the industry. "Sun's dedication to deliver disruptive innovations like Grid Computing and the Solaris 10 operating system requires, not just the best technology, but the most efficient and innovative operations and the highest quality customer service," Schwartz said. "Already, Don and Eugene have demonstrated they have the exceptional talent, and understand exactly what it takes, to create the kind of effective organization our customers demand. Moving them to the next level in turn enables Sun -- and, most importantly, our customers -- to move to the next generation of computing innovations." Grantham joined Sun's EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) sales organization in 1999, holding positions as vice president of EMEA Product Sales, vice president of EMEA Sales Operations and vice president of Worldwide Sales Operations in Sun's Global Sales Organization (GSO). Grantham came to Sun after a successful 17-year career with IBM. His extensive experience in sales, together with the operational benefits gained from working closely with Global Services teams, have given Don unique insight into the importance and value of a strong and capable service environment. Grantham has received recognition for his unique contributions at Sun, including being named one eight distinguished recipients of the 2003 Sun Leadership Award and participation in the 2004 class of Sun's Leadership Institute. McCabe, prior taking the helm of Worldwide Operations in January of 2003, was vice president for High-End Operations and chief technology officer, responsible for overseeing the manufacturing, supply chain management and operations engineering for Sun's flagship Enterprise server and network computing product lines. McCabe joined Sun in 1999 after more than a dozen years with Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC), later part of Compaq. At Sun, he has been instrumental in driving significant changes in many areas including product and process cost reductions, major improvements in product qualification and testing, and in building the infrastructure to enable the customization of Sun's products through its Customer Ready Systems program. McCabe has received recognition for his unique contributions at Sun, including being named one of seven distinguished recipients of the 2002 Sun Leadership Award and participation in the inaugural class of Sun's Leadership Institute.