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William McDermott is alive and well and the new CEO and president of SAP America Inc.
The company named the former top sales executive at Siebel Systems Inc. to head its North American operations Tuesday. McDermott replaces Leo Apotheker, president of Global Field Operations and executive board member of SAP AG, who had headed SAP America on an interim basis since May.
McDermott, 41, will be responsible for all of SAPs business activities in the United States and Canada and will report directly to Apotheker.
On Sept. 9, financial analysts reported that McDermott had left Siebel. That same day, Siebel announced that Richard Chiarello was its new sales head, replacing senior vice president Mark Hanson, who had been holding the position on an interim basis.
There was no mention at the time of the fate of McDermott, who joined Siebel in June 2001, after serving as president of Gartner Inc. Siebels sales fell for four straight quarters under McDermott.
But Apotheker said McDermotts industry experience, executive background and sales expertise stood out among candidates SAP interviewed for the job.
“Bills appointment strengthens our global field organization,” said Apotheker in a statement. “His commitment to customer success, combined with his proven leadership abilities, will have a significant impact on our North American operations.”
McDermott said he was glad to join SAP, which he cited as the “clear leader” in e-business applications with the “most impressive client base in the industry.”
“As important, my principles are in complete accord with SAPs integrity, corporate culture and value system,” McDermott said in a statement.
McDermott starts at SAP America Oct. 7.