MontaVista will hire former Sun and Cobalt employee Peter Ulander to fill an unspecified role, according to stories at The Register and CNet. Marketing VP Sheila Baker left MontaVista weeks ago for VA Software (formerly VA Linux), fueling rumors that Ulander may step into Baker's former role.

According to CNet, Ulander worked most recently on Sun's desktop Linux initiative, and leaves the company as it is preparing to make a large round of layoffs. CNet also reports that Ulander was a former senior product marketing manager at Cobalt, where he worked with then-marketing VP Kelly Herrell, who was hired two months ago as MontaVista's VP of operations.

The ever-colorful Register adds the useful detail that Ulander was the best-dressed Sun executive, and implies that resentment over the generous terms of Sun's acquisition of Cobalt could be prompting the exodus of former Cobalt employees from Sun. The Register also implies that the move to MontaVista will be a step down for Ulander; however, given speculation that MontaVista may be on the verge of going public or being acquired, Ulander may simply be once again demonstrating a proven ability to effectively ride the corporate churn.

The CNet story can be found here, while the Register story is here. MontaVista did not respond to inquiries for further details.

 
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