D'Ambrosio Departure Catches IBM Insiders Off-Guard

Word of D'Ambrosio's departure leaked out Monday. He could not be reached at his home for comment Tuesday. An IBM spokeswoman said, "He's a very ambitious man and he decided to pursue other opportunities outside the company."

As of late Tuesday, IBM insiders weren't sure what opportunities outside the company D'Ambrosio was pursuing.

Just weeks ago, the company was touting D'Ambrosio as IBM's "marketing maestro."

IBM dubbed D'Ambrosio "one of the key players behind IBM's software success," which saw software revenue reach $13 billion. More importantly, IBM said D'Ambrosio was one of the main reasons IBM logged a 10 percent growth in middleware for its latest quarter ended June 30, while competitors such as Oracle and BEA Systems were seeing declines.

D'Ambrosio was also the driver behind IBM's Strategic Alliance Initiative launched in November 1999. The program includes sales incentives and other benefits that make allies out of ISVs. IBM has signed more than 70 strategic alliances under the program.