April 18, 2025 – Intel’s newly appointed CEO, Li-Wu Chen, has initiated a streamlining of the company’s management structure, with key chip divisions now reporting directly to him, as reported by Reuters today.
In a memo sent to employees, Chen announced the promotion of Sachin Katti, head of networking chips, to the position of Chief Technology Officer (CTO) and AI Lead. This move marks the first significant personnel changes under Chen’s leadership since he took over as CEO last month.
Under the new arrangement, Intel’s Data Center and AI Group, as well as its Client Computing Group, will now report directly to Chen. Previously, these business segments were overseen by Michelle Johnston Holthaus, CEO of the Intel Products Group.
“I want to be personally involved with the engineering and product teams to gain a deeper understanding of how we can enhance our solutions,” Chen stated in the memo. He further added that he is working closely with Michelle to advance relevant plans and will expand her responsibilities in the future, with details to be announced in due course.
Sachin Katti, who is also a professor at Stanford University, will succeed the retiring Greg Lavender in his current roles, according to the memo.
Prior to the memo’s release, Chen had publicly expressed his intention to reduce redundant management layers, allowing executives to work more closely with engineers.
“It’s clear to me that our complex organizational structure and bureaucracy are stifling our innovative culture,” Chen remarked. “Decision cycles are too long, new ideas lack the space and resources to incubate, and barriers between departments are hindering execution efficiency.”
