Appleton to step down?

Is this real? I think I need to pinch myself. Thanks to Russ over at matr.net for the heads up. The story he links to comes fromTech Confidential

Big changes are afoot at Micron Technology Inc., which has been struggling in the wake of a downturn in the hyper-cyclical dynamic random access memory chip market. According to a Monday note issued by Lazard Capital Market’s Daniel Amir, longtime Micron CEO Steve Appleton is planning to step down.

Appleton taking over the Imaging business, which is expected to be spun off, is something that people have been suggesting for a while.

If Appleton does step down — Amir predicted an announcement to that effect could be made at Micron’s Feb. 7 analyst day — he might not be completely out of the picture. He could take over Micron’s image sensor business, the analyst said, which is on track to be spun out by mid-2008.

I’ve talked to several people at Micron that at this point don’t care what it takes just as long as he leaves.

IMHO Appleton was a great CEO for a high growth company but he lacks the skill and talent to run a mature business in decline. Any thoughts on who will take over? I doubt someone could come from the outside and clean up that place but I also wonder if there’s anyone left inside Micron that could handle it. My guess is that anyone who could have managed the business would have left long ago.

**UPDATE**
The Idaho Statesman is running some additional comments from Amir:

Amir believes it is Appleton’s choice whether to step down and that his likely successor would be Micron President and Chief Operating Officer Mark Durcan.

“Obviously he has been the CEO for a long time, but Micron has a deep management team and he may see it as an opportunity for others to step up,” Amir said.

And in less helpful analysis:

Amir said the official announcement could come as soon as Feb. 7 when the company hosts its annual winter analyst conference. Though it is normally held in Sun Valley, this year’s conference will be in Salt Lake City. *BUT*
“We’re not sure when it could happen, but it could happen in the next six months.”

So to summarize the analysts: Appleton might step down and might head up the rumored to be spun off Image Sensor division and he could announce it Feb 7th and if he did it could happen in the next 6 month.

Don’t you just love analysts.

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