IBM names Virginia Rometty president and CEO, starting from January 1st 2012-- the first female leader for the 101-year old giant, and one of a few women heading a major corporation.
Rometty succeeds Sam Palmisano (who will remain at the company as chairman) and is current head of sales, marketing and strategy. In a career with IBM spanning over 30 years (joining IBM in 1981) she headed the business services unit, as well as a number of sales and marketing roles.
Described as a "close lieutenant" to Palmisano, Rometty took part in the 2002 PwC consulting business acquistion, integrating the business with other IBM units.
The appointment makes IBM the biggest company in the world with a female CEO-- and Rometty contendor for the unofficial "most powerful woman in technology" title. Other female CEs in the technology sector include Urusula Burns (Xerox), Ellen Kullman (DuPont) and, of course, Meg Whitman (HP).
Now, imagine if Steve Jobs also chose a woman as his anointed successor...