Alan Kessler Appointed President of 3Com’s Palm Computing Business
SANTA CLARA, Calif. — June 30, 1999 — Global networking leader 3Com Corporation (Nasdaq:COMS) today announced the appointment of Alan Kessler as President of Palm Computing.
Kessler, most recently senior vice president of 3Com's Global Customer Service organization, succeeds Robin Abrams effective immediately. The company said Kessler, 41, has a track record in consumer and enterprise sales and marketing, and a proven ability to enter new markets and grow a business globally.
3Com said Abrams is leaving to pursue another business opportunity.
"3Com's Palm business continues to enjoy high growth and had a strong fourth fiscal quarter of 1999," said Bruce Claflin, 3Com president and chief operating officer. "Alan's track record with 3Com's customer base will be invaluable in extending the Palm economy. We will leverage Alan's experience as he leads our efforts to continue licensing the Palm platform, growing the emerging services business and expanding the use of Palm devices among individuals and organizations."
"We believe there are enormous opportunities for Palm technology," said Kessler. "People want personalized access to information and to be free to connect simply and reliably from anywhere at anytime. I believe this is one of the best jobs in the computing industry today,"
"3Com has the vision, financial resources and commitment to drive the Palm economy to new levels," said Abrams.
Kessler has 20 years of sales, marketing and customer service experience. During his 13-year tenure with 3Com, he established a strong reputation for building businesses that respond to the direct needs of individual customers. Prior to his worldwide service role, Kessler was responsible for 3Com's worldwide Enterprise Sales and Service organization. His relationships with 3Com's enterprise customers such as Sun Microsystems have already helped Palm establish a number of strategic partnerships.
Kessler has held other positions at 3Com, including vice president of 3Com's North America System Sales, vice president and general manager for 3Com's internetworking product group, and a director of marketing with responsibility for key network communication product lines.
About 3Com Corporation
With nearly 300 million customers worldwide, 3Com Corporation connects more people in more ways to information than any other networking company. 3Com delivers innovative information access products and network system solutions to large, medium and small enterprises; carriers and network service providers; PC OEMs; and consumers. 3Com. More connected(tm). For further information, visit 3Com's World Wide Web site at www.3Com.com or the press site at www.3Com.com/pressbox.
Note to Editors: 3Com is a registered trademark and More connected is a trademark of 3Com Corporation.
CONTACT:
3Com Corporation
Peter Ruzicka, 408/326-5853
Peter_Ruzicka@3Com.com
or
Coltrin & Associates
Todd Irwin, 650/373-2005
Todd_Irwin@Coltrin.com