Symantec Appoints Michael Brown As CEO

(RTTNews) - Security software maker Symantec Corp. (SYMC) said Thursday that it has appointed Michael Brown as chief executive officer, effective immediately.

Brown has been serving as interim president and CEO of the company since March 2014, when the then CEO Steve Bennett was terminated.

Brown's appointment follows a multistep search process conducted by a special committee of the company's Board of Directors in conjunction with leading executive search firm Russell Reynolds over the last six months. The search included reviewing over 100 qualified candidates, more than 30 of whom were actively vetted, the company noted.

The company said Brown will share its strategic plan with shareholders, customers and employees within the next 30 days. The plan will build upon the company's stated priorities, increase focus on the customer and build shareholder value.

Brown joined Symantec's Board of Directors following the company's merger with VERITAS Software in July 2005, and previously served as chairman and chief executive officer of Quantum Corp.