3Com Corp has implemented what it described to Reuters as the largest internal reorganization in its 17 years: in essence, the company has followed the model adopted by rivals Cisco Systems Inc and Bay Networks Inc by realigning itself along customer-oriented – rather than product-oriented – lines. Specifically, 3Com has pulled its customer service organization and LAN and WAN businesses into a new 3Com Systems division, while its products for small businesses and consumers will now form 3Com Personal Products. Bob Finnochio – who currently heads up the company’s systems operations – will become president of 3Com Systems, and reporting to him will be Alan Kessler, currently VP of the company’s customer services organization, who becomes senior VP of Global Systems Sales; Ron Sege, who becomes senior VP and general manager of 3Com Systems LAN Operations (including the company’s switch, hub, and network management portfolio); and Jim Olson who holds the same position for WAN Operations, including routers, remote access and carrier relationships. Doug Spreng becomes executive VP of the Personal Products organization, and is charged with strengthening links between 3Com’s volume products, and its global channel selling programs. Heading up these programs will be Ralph Godfrey, who becomes senior VP of worldwide sales. The reorganization seems to have left Bill Marr, currently executive VP of worldwide sales, out of a job: while nobody at 3Com was available to talk about his long-term role, a company statement says only that he will remain with the company to assist the transition. Marr joined the company in June of last year; prior to that, he was VP, North American and Australian field operations, at Sun Microsystems Inc.
