Borland CEO leaves, joins VMware

Borland Software's CEO has resigned, taking a position at EMC's VMware subsidiary. Tod Nielsen, who had served as Borland CEO since November 2005, has become the chief operating officer of VMware, a newly created position, a VMware statement said.

Borland, meanwhile, is undergoing a significant reorganization. It will reduce its workforce by about 15 percent, or 130 employees, most of whom will be dismissed by April, the application life cycle management tools company said in a statement. The company also announced its Section 16 officer Peter Morowski, senior vice president of research and development, will leave the company.

Borland will consolidate its remaining staff under Rich Novak, senior vice president of worldwide field operations, the company said. A new structure under sales and marketing creates an enterprise solutions team focused on selling new Borland Management Solutions and providing for a global inside sales team, Borland said.

Erik Prusch, who had served as Borland CFO, has been appointed Borland's acting president and CEO. “Over the past two years, I’ve seen Borland make enormous strides both in terms of operational improvements and delivering on its Open ALM vision,” Prusch said in a statement released by the company. “We have the products, talent, and financial footing to withstand near-term economic uncertainties and continue the strategy we’ve outlined to investors.”

The company expects to report total revenue in the range of $38.5 million to $40 million for the fourth quarter of 2008. Borland anticipates it will continue to keep costs under control, but it also expects to take a goodwill impairment charge for the fourth quarter.

At VMware, Nielsen will provide a focus on business, marketing and operations so CEO Paul Maritz can devote more time to product strategy and development, VMware said. “In this newly created role, Tod brings unique skills and capabilities that will help us improve our operational focus and enhance our execution across all areas of the business,” Maritz said in a statement.