Todays announcement highlights the important steps were making towards the completion of
an extremely complex transaction that incorporates over a dozen countries and spans data storage technology brands for consumers to professional content creators to the worlds leading device OEMs and the largest cloud providers, said
David Goeckeler, CEO of Western Digital. Im pleased with the exceptional work the separation teams have done so far in creating a spin-ready foundation that will ensure a successful transition to independent, market-leading companies for
our Flash and HDD businesses.
Establishing the executive leadership team for the Flash spinoff company also is progressing with Goeckeler today
appointed CEO Designate.
While both Western Digitals businesses will have the strategic focus and resources to pursue exciting opportunities
in their respective markets once the separation is complete, the Flash business offers exciting possibilities with market growth potential and the emerging development of disruptive, new memory technologies. I am definitely looking forward to
whats next for the spinoff team, added Goeckeler.
Irving Tan, currently Executive Vice President, Global Operations at Western Digital, will
step into the CEO role for the remaining standalone HDD company to continue operating as Western Digital.
Since joining Western Digital two years
ago, Irving has made a tremendous impact on the transformation of our global operations organization and plays an integral role in running our HDD business, said Goeckeler. He leads with global perspectives, diverse insights and deep
industry expertise and I have full confidence in him as Western Digitals chief executive when the separation is completed.
The executive
appointments announced today are subject to and will be effective upon completion of the planned separation following the satisfaction of customary conditions. Additional executive leaders for both companies will be named at a later
date as appointments are determined.
Western Digital will continue to provide updates throughout the separation process as key projects progress.
About David Goeckeler
David Goeckeler is the CEO at
Western Digital and serves on the Board of Directors.
Since joining Western Digital in March 2020, Goeckeler has focused on the companys
transformation as the leading data storage producer in the industry. With more than a third of the worlds data stored on its products, Western Digital solutions power innovation from the devices we use every day, to the edge, to the foundation
of the cloud. The company has extensive operations throughout the United States and Asia, with over 50,000 employees worldwide. Its brands SanDisk, SanDisk Professional, WD, WD Black, and Western Digital are widely recognized globally for
innovation, performance, and quality.