Three of AMD’s top executives have left the company

AMD’s executive lineup underwent a massive shakeup yesterday after General Manager of Computing and Graphics Business Group, John Byrne; Chief Marketing Officer, Colette LaForce; and Chief Strategy Officer, Raj Naik all left the company. The reasoning behind these departures is unclear, but when AMD announces their fourth quarter results nest week, we might have a better idea. 

AMD chip chief John Byrne has left the company, accompanying AMD’s chief strategy officer and its chief marketing officer out the door, according to the company. Byrne, as well as chief marketing officer Collette LaForce and chief strategy officer Raj Naik, have left to pursue other interests, according to AMD and a report from Reuters. AMD announced Byrne’s departure in an 8K filing that noted he’ll stay on until the end of March to assist with the transition. An AMD spokesman confirmed the departure of LaForce and Naik as well. Chief executive Lisa Su (above), a well-regarded executive that has held a variety of executive positions at AMD before being named CEO in October, will take over Byrne’s role, according to reports. But it’s unclear who will step in and fill the shoes of LaForce and Naik in terms of guiding and marketing AMD’s chips in the long term. For now those responsibilities will be handled by Harry Wolin, AMD’s senior vice president, general counsel and secretary, the spokesman said.