Intel has announced a series of key leadership appointments in an effort to accelerate innovation, improve execution, and solidify its three strategic pillars: strengthening the core product business, building a trusted foundry, and fostering a cross-cutting engineering culture throughout the company.
Kevork Kechichian to Lead Data Center Division
Intel has appointed Kevork Kechichian as Executive Vice President and General Manager of the Data Center Group (DCG), overseeing the server and cloud business, including the Intel Xeon processor family.
Kechichian, with over 30 years of industry experience, joins from Arm, where he served as EVP of Engineering and led the company’s transition from an IP licensing model to full-stack solutions. He has also held leadership positions at NXP Semiconductors and Qualcomm.
“Kevork brings a unique blend of strategic vision, technical depth, and operational rigor that will help us capitalize on growth opportunities in the data center market,” said Lip-Bu Tan, Intel CEO.
Jim Johnson, a seasoned Intel veteran, to lead the PC business
After serving in an interim capacity, Jim Johnson has been confirmed as Senior Vice President and General Manager of the Client Computing Group (CCG), responsible for PC strategy and edge computing ecosystems.
Johnson brings 40 years of experience at Intel, having worked in key divisions such as the Technology and Manufacturing Group and the Networking and Communications Group, in addition to managing several global units and manufacturing plants.
“Jim’s industry experience and relationships are driving our client business forward at a pivotal moment, just as a new generation of products is emerging,” Tan said.
Srini Iyengar to Head New Central Engineering Group
Intel also announced the creation of a Central Engineering Group, to be led by Srinivasan (Srini) Iyengar, the company’s Senior Vice President and Fellow.
The group’s mission will be to coordinate horizontal engineering functions and launch a new custom silicon business for external customers. Iyengar joined in June from Cadence Design Systems, where he led global silicon engineering and collaborated closely with cloud hyperscale providers to optimize workloads.
“Under Srini’s leadership, we will align innovation with execution to benefit our customers directly,” Tan explained.
Strengthening Foundry Operations: Naga Chandrasekaran Expands Role
Executive Vice President Naga Chandrasekaran, current CTO and Operations Head of Intel Foundry, will expand his responsibilities to include Foundry Services, creating a more integrated structure that encompasses technology development, manufacturing, and commercial strategy.
Chandrasekaran, who joined in 2024 from Micron, has decades of experience in semiconductor R&D and manufacturing.
“Naga’s leadership and an integrated foundry model will enable us to improve execution, collaboration, and customer service in our foundry business,” Tan stated.
Kevin O’Buckley will continue as Senior Vice President and General Manager of Foundry Services, reporting to Chandrasekaran.
Michelle Johnston Holthaus departs after over three decades
The company also confirmed the departure of Michelle Johnston Holthaus, CEO of Intel Products, after more than 30 years with the company. During her career, she held senior roles including interim co-CEO, EVP, GM of CCG, and Chief Revenue Officer.
Holthaus will remain on board for a few months as a strategic advisor to facilitate the transition.
“Michelle has transformed key businesses, built high-performance teams, and inspired generations of employees. Her legacy will endure at Intel,” said the CEO.
Conclusion
Through these initiatives, Intel aims to strengthen its leadership in critical areas: data centers, where it competes directly with AMD and Arm-based designs; the PC business, currently transitioning to hybrid architectures; and foundry, crucial for regaining ground against TSMC and Samsung.
Lip-Bu Tan’s message is clear: “Innovation and execution” are the priorities, and the company is confident in its renewed leadership team with deep technical expertise and global market experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who will lead Intel’s data center business?
Kevork Kechichian, formerly with Arm, will serve as EVP and GM of the Data Center Group.
What changes are happening in the PC division?
Jim Johnson, with 40 years at Intel, has been confirmed as the head of the Client Computing Group after an interim period.
What is the new Central Engineering Group?
A cross-functional division led by Srini Iyengar, focused on coordinating engineering efforts and developing custom silicon solutions for external clients.
What role will Naga Chandrasekaran play in the foundry?
He will expand his responsibilities to include integrating Foundry Services, uniting tech development, manufacturing, and go-to-market strategies under one leadership.
Who is leaving Intel and why is it significant?
Michelle Johnston Holthaus, a veteran with over three decades and a key figure in the client business, is departing after serving as interim co-CEO and revenue leader.
via: newsroom.intel