Dirk Hohndel Is No Longer Intel's Chief Linux/OSS Technologist

Well this somehow slipped under our radar last week and comes as a big surprise... Dirk Hohndel has left Intel Corp after being their chief Linux and open-source technologist the past number of years.

Dirk Hohndel had been working at Intel since 2001 where he had been leading the Linux/open-source charge. Dirk frequently spoke at Linux/FLOSS conferences about Intel's involvement in these areas. Given his tenure at Intel and his frequent involvement in the Linux/open-source communities, it comes as a surprise to see him leave. Prior to Intel, he was CTO at SUSE.

Dirk's LinkedIn was updated to reflect he's left the company and is now employed by VMware. At VMware, Dirk is now their Chief Open-Source Officer and was issued in a press release last week.

Dirk's departure comes as Intel has been downsizing this year -- back in April was when it was reported they would be laying off 11% of their global staff. This departure of Dirk comes after Intel's Open-Source Technology Center has already lost notable veterans in recent months/years like Jesse Barnes, Keith Packard, and Eric Anholt. A marketing director for Intel's open-source efforts also left the company in May.

I have yet to hear if there is a new Linux/OSS technologist replacement at Intel or if this is being phased out. If anyone has any other information to share, feel free to contact me.