VirtualLogix, which sells Linux-compatible “VLX” virtualization software designed for embedded devices, announced the selection of a new executive chairman after the departure of CEO Peter Richards. Former Oracle and IBM executive Mike Seashols will act as interim CEO, and chair the advisory board of strategic investors, says the company.

Seashols spent 11 years at IBM, and was Oracle's first VP of marketing and sales. Among other positions, he was CEO and founder of object-oriented database firm Versant, and also held the role of CEO at content management software company Documentum, says VirtualLogix. Seashols will also chair the advisory board of strategic investors, which includes representatives from Intel, Cisco, Motorola, and Texas Instruments (TI), says the company.

The departure of Richards (pictured below, right) in November and the arrival of Seashols was confirmed last week in an email to LinuxDevices from VirtualLogix co-founder and EVP, Corporate Development, Michel Gien. According to Gien, a CEO replacement has already accepted the position and will be announced in mid-January.

Outgoing CEO Peter Richards

Gien referred to the reorg as part of a “worldwide adjustment” that was precautionary, “until we know the impact of the global economic conditions.”

Other new board appointees include Juha Christensen, a well-known former Symbian and Microsoft executive who served on the board of Trolltech (now Nokia's Qt Software). Seashols and Christensen will join current board members Gien, Giuseppe Zocco (General Partner, Index Ventures), Alexander Bruhl (Senior Partner, Atlas Venture), and Tom Bradley (Partner, DFJ Esprit).

Seashols has “a proven track record” of identifying “tipping points” in the technology industry such as may be occurring now in virtualization, says VirtuaLogix. Virtualization is now moving from success at the enterprise server level to play a major role in embedded and mobile devices, says the company. Its VLX software comes in different versions for networking equipment, set-top boxes (STBs), and mobile devices, including mobile Internet devices (MIDs).

Stated Seashols, “As devices of all types become more feature-rich and connected, the need for real-time virtualization software solutions will explode as device OEMs and service providers seek to accelerate the introduction of new functionality with lower cost multicore chip sets, lower power utilization, higher security walls and more effective maintainability.”

Stated Gien, “We are thrilled to have [Seashols] on board as we expand our strategic position in the rapidly-evolving opportunity to virtualize computing devices such as IP phones, auto infotainment, industrial / medical instrumentation, network infrastructure, multi-faceted printers and mobile devices.”

For more information, please see last week's coverage of the VirtualLogix moves.

 
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