Top SAP Executive in Silicon Valley Leaving Company
By Ryan Blitstein, San Jose Mercury News, Calif.
Mar. 28–Shai Agassi was the heir apparent, but he wasn’t ready to wait.
Agassi, the president of the technology group at SAP and the Waldorf, Germany, software company’s unofficial ambassador to Silicon Valley from its Palo Alto SAP Labs, is leaving the companyeffective April 1, SAP said in a statement Wednesday.
Agassi said he plans to dedicate time to personal interests in environmental policy, alternative energy and the future of his home country of Israel.
Hasso Plattner, SAP’s co-founder and chairman, said he planned to make Agassi co-chief executive with current CEO Henning Kagermann, and later sole CEO. But after Kagermann’s contract was extended through 2009, Agassi, 38, said he wasn’t comfortable committing 10 to 15 more years to the company.
“While we regret Shai’s decision to leave, we congratulate him on his record of achievement at SAP,” Plattner said. “Shai drove the company’s successful platform strategy, led innovationthat helped SAP grow and continue market leadership, as well as set the stage for the future of business software.”
The announcement of Agassi’s departure was made as part of a major reorganization of SAP’s management, and several people will take over his responsibilities. Leo Apotheker, currently president of customer solutions and operations, will become deputy CEO. Current SAP Executive Vice President Doug Merritt, one of Agassi’s deputies in Palo Alto, will now lead the company’s business software development efforts.
Agassi will continue to serve as a special consultant to the company and maintain his office in Palo Alto.
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