Richard Belluzzo

Richard Belluzzo
Belluzzo delivering a lecture in 2017
Born
Richard Belluzzo

(1953-11-26) November 26, 1953 (age 71)
San Francisco, California
Alma mater

Richard "Rick" Belluzzo (born November 26, 1953)[1] is an American businessman who worked as an executive at Hewlett-Packard (HP), Silicon Graphics (SGI), Microsoft (MS), Quantum Corp. (QTM), and Viavi Solutions (VIAV). He has served on the board of directors of several technology companies. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from Golden Gate University.[2]

Belluzzo worked for HP for 23 years, with his last role being executive vice president of their computer division. He moved to SGI in January 1998, becoming chairman of the board and CEO, succeeding Edward R. McCracken.[3][4] During his time in the systems business, Belluzzo led both HP and SGI through the transition from proprietary systems to industry standard solutions. These actions were controversial at the time.[5] SGI lost money five out of the six quarters Belluzzo ran the company.[6]

In August 1999, Belluzzo left SGI to head Microsoft's MSN division,[7] and then the whole Consumer business, leading several emerging efforts, including the launch of the first Xbox. In February 2001, he became president and chief operating officer of Microsoft, running the day-to-day business during the critical CEO transition from Bill Gates to Steve Ballmer.[8][9] In September 2002, he was appointed CEO at Quantum Corp., where he managed the transformation from a tape drives to a storage systems company.[10] In August 2015 he was appointed Interim CEO at Viavi Solutions, and finished the break-up of JDSU into two public companies.[11]

After leaving Quantum, Belluzzo began working with Italian Startups in both the US and Italy, becoming an investor in several companies. In 2017 he became a partner at Venture Capital firm Innogest Capital.[12][13][14]

In 2017 he was awarded the honor of Cavaliere Della Repubblica Italiana (Italian Knighthood) by the President of the Italian Republic.[15]

  1. ^ Robert Digitale (March 20, 2016). "Viavi Solutions board chairman Rick Belluzzo: Hardheaded and softhearted". The Press Democrat. Retrieved February 8, 2018.
  2. ^ "Profiles: Richard Belluzzo". Golden Gate University. Retrieved February 8, 2018.
  3. ^ "Silicon Graphics Names Richard Belluzzo Chairman and CEO". Press Release. Silicon Graphics, Inc. January 23, 1998. Retrieved December 30, 2013.
  4. ^ "SGI surprise: Belluzzo out as CEO". ZDNet. August 24, 1999. Retrieved February 8, 2018.
  5. ^ "Belluzzo's Nvidia pact 'sealed SGI's fate'". The Register. May 13, 2006. Retrieved February 8, 2018.
  6. ^ Non, Sergio G. (August 23, 1999). "SGI surprise: Belluzzo out as CEO". ZDNET. Retrieved March 14, 2023.
  7. ^ David Einstein (August 19, 2000). "Rick Belluzzo, Microsoft's Internet Czar". Forbes. Retrieved February 8, 2018.
  8. ^ Rebecca Buckman (February 14, 2001). "Microsoft Names Rick Belluzzo Its President, Operating Chief". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved February 8, 2018.
  9. ^ John Cook (April 3, 2002). "Microsoft president and COO Belluzzo resigns". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Retrieved February 8, 2018.
  10. ^ Martyn Williams (August 5, 2002). "Former Microsoft President To Become Quantum's CEO". Computerworld. Retrieved February 8, 2018.
  11. ^ Kelly Hill (August 12, 2015). "Post-JDSU split, Viavi's CEO steps down". RCRWireless News. Retrieved February 8, 2018.
  12. ^ "Richard Belluzzo (Microsoft, HP, SGI) appointed Innogest's partner". Innogest Capital. December 11, 2016. Retrieved February 8, 2018.
  13. ^ "Venture Capital Firm Innogest Appoints Richard Belluzzo as Partner". FinSMEs. December 11, 2016. Retrieved February 8, 2018.
  14. ^ "Richard E. Belluzzo". Bloomberg. Retrieved February 8, 2018.
  15. ^ "Onorificenze". Presidenza della Repubblica Italiana. Retrieved February 8, 2018.