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Dell tech chief to step down

Stephen Shankland CNET News.com

Published: 13 Nov 2008 10:45 GMT

Dell has confirmed that chief technology officer Kevin Kettler is retiring.

Kettler (pictured) is stepping down to spend time on his numerous other activities in the Austin, Texas, area, according to multiple sources familiar with the situation, and the move isn't part of Dell's reorganisation activities.

On Wednesday, Dell spokesman David Frink confirmed Kettler's departure.

"He wants to take time to focus on his family and his many other varied interests beyond Dell," Frink said. Kettler will retire "in the next few months", and Dell declined to comment on any plans concerning a new chief technology officer.

Dell, with founder Michael Dell back as chief executive, has been working for many months to turn around its business. However, Dell announced a layoff of 10 percent of its workforce in May, and more recently began asking employees to take unpaid leave to avoid further cuts.

Kettler did not respond to a request for comment. One Dell source said Kettler has told his employees of the change and his retirement has been anticipated within the company for months.

Kettler joined Dell in 1996, rose through the ranks of the company's workstation division, and later oversaw Dell's PC-architecture work.

Credit: Dell CTO Kevin Kettler to step down from CNET News.com