Nvidia's Interim CEO and New Board Chair Email Staff After Huang's Exit
Colette Kress and Harvey Jones emailed Nvidia staff after Jensen Huang's resignation, pledging continuity as the board searches for a permanent CEO.
After Jensen Huang's resignation as CEO, Nvidia interim CEO Colette Kress and board chair Harvey Jones sent emails to employees Thursday, expressing gratitude and confidence in the company's future, according to CNBC, which obtained copies from a source familiar with the matter who said Jones sent the first email and Kress replied shortly after.
Kress, who served as chief financial officer for more than 13 years, wrote that she believed deeply in this company and in its future, and thanked staff for their resilience, professionalism and continued dedication, according to the email. She said the company would host a meeting on November 18 at 9 a.m. PT.
The Board, Estaff and I recognize that this has been an extraordinarily difficult period and I want you to know how grateful we are for your resilience, professionalism and continued dedication, Kress wrote. The term Estaff is commonly used to refer to executive staff, the group of direct reports to C-suite executives at a company.
Jones, in a separate email, said Jensen Huang resigned as CEO and board member and that the board asked Kress to serve as interim CEO while it searches for a permanent successor, considering both internal and external candidates. Jones said he would serve as the first-ever chair of the board. He called Kress "a key architect of NVIDIA's growth and capital strategy" and said "The Board has full confidence in Colette to deliver on our commitments to shareholders, customers, partners, and to each of you."
Jones also wrote that NVIDIA is one of the most consequential technology companies in the world, adding that "We pioneered accelerated computing, defined the modern GPU, and built the platform that powered artificial intelligence." He said "The Board takes seriously our duty as stewards of this great company."
Nvidia (NVDA) shares were down 4.97% in delayed trading at $165.09.
The board has not set a timeline for naming a permanent CEO. The company meeting on November 18 is the next dated event.