Online pioneer Marc Andreessen will dial back his role as chief technical officer of America Online Inc. to become a part-time strategic
adviser, the company announced. Sun Microsystems Inc. (Nasdaq:SUNW) chief strategist William J. Raduchel will assume the CTO role at AOL, the world's largest online service, the company said.
Andreessen will advise AOL on emerging technologies and new
investments, splitting his time between working with startups
and with AOL (NYSE:AOL) on technology issues and potential investments.
The move is a shocker -- Andreessen, 27, was named CTO in February following AOL's acquisition of Netscape Communications Corp. Andreessen co-founded Netscape.
It was not immediately clear why the change was made. But Andreessen said in a statement he wanted a new role that "will allow me to combine my desire to focus more time on getting
involved with startups with the opportunity to contribute to AOL's
future success."
"Marc will
focus on what he likes doing best -- nurturing the rapidly growing
number of new companies in Silicon Valley and elsewhere -- while
remaining a strategic advisor to AOL on technology and investment
issues. His presence in the Valley and his strategic insights will be
continuing strengths for AOL," said AOL CEO Steve Case in a statement.
Sun and AOL get tighter
AOL's hiring of Raduchel provides further evidence of the
growing bonds between the two companies, which are collectively
the industry's leading suppliers of Internet services, computer
hardware and software. AOL and Sun have worked in close
partnership to sell Internet business software since AOL's
acquisition of Web pioneer Netscape closed earlier this year.
In taking over as AOL's chief technologist, Raduchel will
serve as the company's technology strategist, focusing on its
network design, technologies and strategic alliances.
Raduchel joined Sun in 1988. At various times he held the positions of
vice president of finance and chief financial officer, chief information
officer, and his last position was chief strategy officer with responsibility for all corporate planning and development.
Before Sun, Raduchel was vice president for Document Systems
in Xerox's strategic business office. He has also held management
positions at Data Resources Inc., McGraw-Hill Inc., the Institute of
Defense Analyses and Harvard University.
Last month Andreessen filed to sell 940,680 common shares of the Internet services giant, worth $88 million, according to a Securities and Exchange Commission filing.
Reuters contributed to this report