Mike Cordano President and COO, Western Digital

In connection with the decision by China’s Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) enabling Western Digital Corporation to integrate substantial portions of its HGST and WD subsidiaries, the board of directors of the company appointed Michael D. Cordano as president and COO of the company, effective on October 18, 2015.

Stephen D. Milligan remains the CEO of the company, but will no longer serve as the company’s president.

In addition, the position of president of the company’s WD subsidiary, previously held by James J. Murphy, and the position of president of the company’s HGST subsidiary, previously held by Cordano, were both eliminated.

Murphy will now lead the company’s new storage devices business unit and report directly to Cordano.

Mike Cordano, 51, joined the company in March 2012 in connection with its acquisition of HGST. He was appointed president of the company’s HGST subsidiary in July 2012. Prior to that, he served as HGST’s EVP, sales and marketing, and president, branded business, from April 2009 to March 2012. From February 2005 to April 2009,he served as CEO and co-founder of Fabrik, Inc., which was acquired by HGST in April 2009. From 1994 to February 2005, he served in various roles of increasing responsibility at Maxtor Corporation, including as the EVP of WW sales and marketing from April 2001 until February 2005, where he formed and managed the branded products business unit. Background also includes several regional and international management assignments. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Colorado.