FalconStor Names New CEO and New Sales Leadership

FalconStor Software has named James P. McNiel as president and CEO, and the storage company has recruited Symantec veteran John W. Turner as VP of North American Sales. The FalconStor moves arrive a few months after former CEO ReiJane Huai resigned amid a payment probe at the storage company.

FalconStor was rocked in September 2010 when Huai left the company amid the payment probe. However, McNiel has provided stability during the executive changes. In addition to his time at FalconStor, McNiel previously was an executive at Cheyenne Software, where he worked with Huai in the 1990s. Many FalconStor employees are Cheyenne veterans, so they’re familiar with McNiel’s management style.

Meanwhile, FalconStor seems to be making multiple channel changes. The company in November 2010 named Brendan Kinkade to serve as VP of channel management and global alliances. And in a November filing with the SEC, FalconStor said VP of Sales North America Wendy Petty had “taken a leave of absence and that the Company had commenced a search for a new head of sales for North America.”

Logical conclusion: Turner apparently replaces Wendy Petty. The VAR Guy sent an email to Petty’s FalconStor account this morning and he received a blank automated Out of Office reply. However, Petty’s LinkedIn profile still lists FalconStor as her employer. The VAR Guy has asked FalconStor for an update on Petty’s status with the company.

Update, 10:40 a.m. eastern: According to a company spokeswoman, Wendy Petty is on long-term medical leave but still with the company. Petty’s role with the company will be determined when she is ready to return, the spokeswoman said.

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