Hewlett-Packard's top U.S. enterprise sales executive, David Booth, has resigned effective immediately, according to an internal HP e-mail circulated Friday.
Booth was senior vice president and U.S. country manager for HP's Technology Solutions Group (TSG) and was in charge of the vendor's direct enterprise products sales force.
Under Booth's leadership, TSG in the past year forged closer ties with HP's enterprise solution providers, including mapping about 40 solution providers into the group's large-account sales plan. Taking over for Booth on an interim basis is Jack Novia, managing director and senior vice president for TSG Americas.
Booth came to Compaq when it acquired Digital Equipment and later joined HP after its merger with Compaq.
The e-mail, sent by Novia to TSG management and staff, said in part, "It is with mixed emotions that I announce that David Booth, sales leader for TSG Americas, has decided to leave HP to pursue other interests. Dave has been with us for over 20 years and, during that time, has successfully led a number of sales and marketing functions. He has been in the forefront of our sales transformation and instrumental in many of our key wins in the Americas."
Booth and Novia didn't immediately return phone calls Monday seeking comment.
HP enterprise solution providers were caught off-guard by Booth's abrupt departure.
"He is a longtime personal friend. He was always there for us, and this will be a huge loss for HP," said Don Richie, president of Sequel Data Systems, an HP enterprise solution provider in Austin, Texas.
Larry, Holzenthaler, executive vice president of sales and marketing at TotalTec, an HP enterprise solution provider in Edison, N.J., said, "Dave is a great guy. We worked with him for 15 years through Digital, Compaq and HP, and we are going to miss his leadership."
