Dell CFO Gladden Exits, Third to Leave Since Buyout

Dell chief financial officer (CFO) Brian Gladden is exiting the newly private computer maker, making him the third executive—and highest ranking—member of the company’s senior management team to leave since founder Michael Dell’s $24.8 billion buyout last September.

Along with chairman and chief executive Michael Dell, Gladden, who’s handled Dell’s CFO duties since 2008, spearheaded the company’s efforts to pursue a private equity buyout last year.

Gladden, will be replaced by Thomas Sweet, a 16-year company veteran in Dell’s corporate finance department and its current corporate controller and chief accounting officer.

“Tom has been a key leader in our corporate finance organization for 16 years,” Michael Dell said of Sweet. “His knowledge of our business, versatility as a finance leader and his strategic insights are valued by leaders across the company.”

Gladden said he resigned to pursue career interests outside Dell, according to a statement. It will be interesting to see if his departure is an isolated event or signals a changing of the guard at Dell.

“As Dell turns the page to start its next chapter, I have decided it is the right time for me to do the same,” Gladden said. “I am proud of the progress we have made since the company embarked on its multi-year strategy to become an end-to-end solutions provider, and it’s a logical time for me to transition to my next opportunity. I am confident that Tom (Sweet) is the perfect choice to help lead the new company through its next exciting phase of growth and transformation.”

Gladden’s departure follows the December exit of Steve Felice, a former Dell president and chief commercial officer, who left to take the chief executive slot at Filtration, an industrial air and water filtration equipment company in Chicago, according a report in the Austin American-Statesman. The report also indicated that Larry Tu, Dell’s former general counsel, left earlier to take a job at CBS (CBS) as its chief legal officer.

“Brian has been a great partner to me and is an exceptional leader with a unique combination of financial acumen, strategic intuition and a straightforward approach,” Michael Dell said in a statement. “He played a crucial role in leading the company through the lengthy and complex privatization transaction, and has been instrumental in the execution of the company’s long-term strategy over the past six years. I am grateful for his many contributions.”

Sweet said he was eager to step into Gladden’s shoes.

“Our leading technology solutions, strong global brand and deep customer and partner relationships create exceptional growth opportunities,” he said of Dell’s future.