HP Names Key Executives For New Measurement Company Created

Hewlett-Packard announced two key executive appointments for the new measurement company that will be created by the realignment of HP announced on March 2. The new measurement company will comprise HP's industry test-and-measurement, chemical-analysis, medical and components businesses.

Edward W. (Ned) Barnholt, chief executive officer of the as-yet-unnamed company, named Thomas A. Saponas as chief technology officer (CTO) and D. Craig Nordlund as vice president, general counsel and secretary. In addition, Barnholt announced his intention to hire a chief operating officer (COO) for the new company.

HP also announced organizational changes in its Test and Measurement Organization (TMO). Within TMO, the former Microwave and Communications Group is being combined with the Electronic Instruments Group (EIG) to form a new Electronic Solutions Group. Byron J. Anderson, currently HP vice president and general manager of the Microwave and Communications Group, will lead the new organization.

The new company now consists of six groups—three within TMO and our three other businesses—each with its own manufacturing, sales and services capabilities. We've reshaped TMO to better align our field and factory teams and to help us reduce complexity," said Barnholt. The transition to the new TMO structure is expected to be complete by Nov. 1.

As chief technology officer, Saponas will be responsible for the long-term technology strategy of the new company and for the alignment of the company's business needs with its centralized research-and-development activities.

Saponas has been HP vice president and general manager of EIG, which is part of TMO, since July 1998. Saponas joined HP in 1972 as a design engineer. He has held a series of R&D and marketing management positions in the test-and-measurement business.

As general counsel, Nordlund will have overall responsibility for all legal activities, including intellectual-property law, legal policies, compliance, commercial law, employment law, merger and acquisition support as well as litigation.

Nordlund is currently HP's associate general counsel and secretary. In this capacity, he manages the company's U.S. General Legal operations. Nordlund received his law degree from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN, and joined HP in 1977 after spending three years with a law firm. He is chairman-elect of the National American Society of Corporate Secretaries, which serves more than 4,500 members in the United States.

Barnholt said that a formal search is under way for a COO to oversee day-to-day operations of the new company. "The additional management leadership that the COO will provide will be invaluable in getting our new company launched strongly," he said. "This management structure will also enable me to focus appropriate time on strategic matters and the long-term direction of the company." Barnholt said he expects to name a COO in the next several months.