Sun services’ executive vice president Marissa Peterson is stepping down on the anniversary of her appointment, while the executives who head-up global customer services and worldwide operations will now report directly into Schwartz. Peterson will continue working for Sun and also report to Schwartz.
Schwartz has made rapid progress through Sun’s ranks, since joining through Sun’s 1996 acquisition of Lighthouse Design.
Last April, chief executive Scott McNealy appointed Schwartz COO and president elevating Schwartz beyond software executive vice president.
Schwartz’s crusading zeal helped give Sun’s moribund software organization a new sense of purpose around products and vision that McNealy clearly hoped would carry over to the company’s manufacturing and systems operations.
Schwartz’s rise has coincided with the exit of a number of Sun managers. These include former senior vice president of marketing in global sales operations Marge Breya, who recently joined BEA Systems Inc, and Java software vice president was announced Rich Green, who quit for start-up Cassatt Corp.
Peterson was put in charge of Sun services following the departure for Salesforce.com of corporate heavy hitter Pat Sueltz last March In a statement, Sun commended Peterson for achieving important milestones during her 20-year tenure with Sun.
In reporting to Schwartz, Sun said that Don Grantham, senior vice president for global customer services, and Eugene McCabe, senior vice president for worldwide operations, will drive the next phase of Sun’s customer service strategy and operational excellence.
