CompuServe Messages

[Continued] Since leading a small group of co-founders to form Autodesk in 1982, Walker has played an integral role in shaping the company. He served as Autodesk's president and CEO until 1986, and as chairman until 1988, when Walker returned to programming on a full-time basis. Walker and Autodesk co-founder Kern Sibbald opened the company's European Software Centre in Neuchatel, Switzerland earlier this year. Volker Kleinn, senior vice president of Autodesk's European operations, will act as interim COO until a new chief executive officer is appointed. In this newly created position, Kleinn oversees Autodesk's worldwide product development, operations, corporate marketing and quality assurance. Since joining Autodesk in 1990, Kleinn has successfully restructured European operations into an organization that now serves as the model for Autodesk's other world regions. Previously, Kleinn ran Apollo Computer's international operations from 1986 until the company was sold to Hewlett-Packard in 1989. "Walker's and Kleinn's new positions leverage their capabilities on behalf of Autodesk," said Green. "John Walker's technical and market vision has inspired Autodesk since the company was founded. In bringing Volker Kleinn to Sausalito, we're tapping into his considerable experience in building competitive international organizations." The appointments follow Autodesk's adoption last July of a product development structure organized around five business units. Business units are responsible for product development. Marketing and sales responsibilities are now handled in three world regions. Malcolm Davies is senior vice president of the Americas region, which includes the U.S., Canada and Latin America. Kleinn remains as senior vice president of Europe. An executive search is underway for the Asia/Pacific region. [More]