EMC to hire Intel exec Gelsinger

EMC is reportedly going to hire Intel executive Pat Gelsinger to run its storage product and software units, according to the Wall Street Journal.

The Journal reports that Gelsinger's post will be effective immediately. Howard Elias will head EMC's services division. The moves were positioned as a part of a bake off to replace CEO Joe Tucci. David Goulden, CFO, would also be a possible successor to Tucci, who is expected to leave in three years.

Meanwhile, Intel is also said to be reorganizing its executive suite after Gelsinger's departure, reports the New York Times.

However, the three-way race to replace Tucci is more notable. It's unclear whether EMC's succession race will be as high profile as General Electric's competition to replace Jack Welch a few years back.

Nevertheless, EMC is at an interesting point: The storage giant is one of the leading tech companies and is likely to either become a really big fish on the par of Cisco Systems or acquired.

My hunch is that EMC will become a big fish being an acquirer---see Data Domain---more than a takeover target.