Former Microsoft President Named CEO of Quantum

Belluzzo will succeed Michael Brown, who is stepping down after seven years as CEO, Quantum said in a release. No reason was given for Brown's decision, but he will continue to serve as chairman of Milpitas, Calif.-based Quantum's board of directors.

Belluzzo, 48, resigned from Microsoft amid a management restructuring that allowed divisions within the software giant to operate more autonomously. At the time, he said he wanted to become CEO of a company.

The longtime computer and software industry executive joined Microsoft in September 1999 and held several senior positions focusing on consumer operations before his promotion to president and COO in February 2001.

He spent more than 20 years at Hewlett-Packard, managing some of its largest businesses. He also served as chairman and CEO of Silicon Graphics.

Quantum, which was best known for its computer hard drives, sold that division last year. The company now focuses on tape drives, storage servers and data protection.

Shares of Quantum rose 22 cents, to close at $2.30, in trading Thursday on the New York Stock Exchange.

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