Intel Exec Maloney’s Health Prospects Are Good

The joint head of Intel’s Architecture Group, Sean Maloney, seen by many as a potential CEO of the company, is expected to make a full recovery and return to work, following a stroke last week.

Intel President and CEO Paul Otellini said he visited Maloney and “his sense of humor and determination to return to work filled the room. We wish him a speedy recovery and look forward to his return.”

Maloney, executive vice president and general manager of the company’s Architecture Group, is taking a leave of absence from the company, following a stroke which took place at his home.  He is expected to spend several months recuperating, and then resume his work at the company. His prognosceis for a full recovery is excellent, according to an Intel statement.

In the interim, Dadi Perlmutter, the co-leader of the Architecture Group, will take over Maloney’s duties.

Maloney – Potential Intel CEO?

Maloney, 53, who has been with Intel since 1982, assumed his latest position with Intel in September 2009, when Intel restructured its business units, assembling all of the major product divisions — including the server and client chip businesses — into the newly formed Intel Architecture Group.

Maloney and Perlmutter were appointed to co-manage the unit, with Maloney being responsible for business and operations and Perlmutter focusing on product development and architecture. Maloney led several key announcements, including the introduction of low-energy micro-servers.

At the same time, Pat Gelsinger, a 30-year Intel veteran who rose up to the level of senior vice president and general manager of the company’s Digital Enterprise Group, left the chip maker to become presidentmaloney and chief operating officer of storage giant EMC’s Information Infrastructure Products unit.

Industry observers said Gelsinger’s departure opened up opportunities for several Intel executives, particularly Maloney, whom many saw as a possible successor to Otellini.

Maloney had been an executive vice president and chief sales and marketing officer at Intel before the reorganisation.