After all, Icahn led a bitter campaign against Motorola and Zander seeking change at the telecommunications equipment maker, but he failed to secure a board seat. In the end, however, his failed effort may have opened board member's eyes to Zander's shortcomings as a CEO. Zander's resume is filled with stints at long-forgotten tech companies, most notably Data General and Apollo Computers — two companies that failed to successfully adapt to a changing marketplace. Sound familiar?
Zander's planned Jan. 1 departure as CEO — he'll stay on as chairman until May — basically is tacit acknowledgment that Icahn was right. As Dealscape's affiliate Tech Confidential notes, the company has struggled as it continues to lose market share in the wireless phone market. More shades of Apollo and Data General perhaps?
Taking the helm from Zander is COO Greg Brown, who, according to Tech Confidential, may consider such drastic moves as breaking up the company. — Matthew Wurtzel
See story from DealBook
See story from Tech Confidential
See July 12 story from TheDeal.com
See Dealwatch: Carl Icahn
