Intel chip chief suffers stroke

 

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By Reuters

Posted on 2 Mar 2010 at 08:00

The co-head of Intel's microchip architecture group, Sean Maloney, has suffered a stroke.

Intel said that Maloney is expected to resume his regular duties after a period of recuperation thought to last several months. The prognosis for his full recovery is "excellent," the company added.

Analysts say the company is grooming Maloney, 53, who is executive vice president and general manager of the Intel Architecture Group, as a possible heir to Intel CEO Paul Otellini.

Shares in Intel were briefly halted in after-hours trade. They resumed trading shortly after the statement and were holding steady at $20.87.

Maloney's group oversees the design and development of the company's microprocessors, which are found in more than eight out of ten of the world's personal computers.

Intel said Maloney will be replaced during his leave by Dadi Perlmutter, the other general manager of the Architecture Group. "He's two in the box with Dadi Perlmutter, so there shouldn't be any disruption at all," said Intel spokesman Chuck Mulloy.