Intel’s CTO Forced To Step Down Due To An Age Policy
Image via Flickr/ chang_sen
Sixty-five year-old Justin Rattner, Intel’s CTO, has been forced to step down due to its policy that states no one over the age of 65 can hold a corporate officer position. Following the policy, Rattner has taken a personal leave and a replacement is being sought; when Rattner returns, he will assume a different position.
Intel’s official announcement states: “Justin Rattner is stepping down as chief technology officer and director of Intel Labs. Justin’s transition is required under Intel’s corporate bylaws which state that Intel employees may not serve as corporate officers past the age of 65. Rattner will take a personal leave immediately to deal with a pressing family matter and will return to Intel at a later date in a role to be determined. Intel Labs will report to Intel President Renée James until further decisions related to its leadership are made.”
Rattner has been at Intel since 1973 and has since achieved notoriety in the technology industry, being featured as a prominent speaker on behalf of Intel and at worldwide conferences. In 1989, he was named “Scientist of the Year” for his computer architecture, and in 1997 was honored as a part of the Computing 200—a group of people that have contributed most to the technology and computer industry boom. He also received two Intel achieving awards.
In May, Intel’s CEO, Paul Otellini, stepped down at the age of 62 and Rattner welcomed his replacement, Brian Krzanich, with open arms. “He wants to see Intel move faster,” Rattner said. “We’ve been legitimately accused of trying to get everything perfect before it comes to market.”
Intel’s age-policy is well-known, so the news doesn’t come as a huge surprise.
