Linux vendor Red Hat Inc. on Wednesday made management moves with the announcement of a new head of services.
The company appointed Kate Johnson to the post of vice president of services. Johnson comes to Red Hat with over 13 years of client service experience. Her experience ranges across several industries, mainly focusing on change management. However, she does not have specific experience in Linux or the open-source software market.
Spokesman Leigh Day said that Johnson will be responsible for delivering Red Hats training, support and consulting services globally and all executives in the services organization will report to Johnson, including Global Learning Services, Global Support Services and Global Consulting Services departments. “Hiring Kate Johnson is another big step in building a seasoned management team with great department,” he said.
Johnson will replace Anthony Moretto, who held the post for just over two years. Moretto will become Red Hats vice president of operations and report to Joanne Rohde, Red Hats executive vice president of global operations.
“Our organizational growth is a direct reflection on the expansion of open source worldwide,” Day said.
Despite a flurry of lawsuits concerning its financial reporting, Red Hat has posted strong quarterly results with large gains in sales and net income. Analysts said the results set the stage for a continued expansion beyond servers.
Prior to joining Red Hat, Johnson was managing director in charge of investment banking division technology and logistics at UBS Investment Bank, a large global securities and investment banking firm. Before that post, she spent several years as management consultant focusing on business transformation programs at Deloitte Consulting Group.
“Customer experience is the top global priority for our organization,” Rhode said in a prepared statement. “By building out a world-class services organization with seasoned executives like Kate Johnson and working with our strategic partners, Im confident Red Hat will exceed customer expectations.”
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