Red Hat's Ex, Jim Whitehurst, Is Now Temporary CEO at Unity Software | Hacker News Reader

Red Hat's Ex, Jim Whitehurst, Is Now Temporary CEO at Unity Software

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43 pointsem-bee19 comments

Since Jim didn't step back the fee per install plan for 2024, means Unity CEO's are just dummies.

Having worked under Jim (indirectly), he's not a fan of quick decisions. I imagine he's spending time talking to actual customers and all those involved in the decision.

You can now pay a 2% royalty instead which seems reasonable

Reasonable until they bait-and-switch customers again. Trust is gone.

I thought they removed the per install fee?

They now call it "engagement", see Unity Pro tab:

https://unity.com/runtime-fee-estimator

That’s what executive recruiters do. And it’s not that uncommon to have an interim CEO. Sometimes a company needs an outsider and the board may even demand the current management is not involved in the search.

Strangely enough, sometimes small companies will have part-time CEOs and CFOs, often recruited through an agency. Obviously doesn’t apply to a company of this scale or a person at Jim’s level.

Think he was on the board. I have been interim CEO a couple of times for this reason. My main objective was finding a permanent replacement.

He has the job because he’s affiliated with Silverlake, who have a 10% stake and are running the show.

Is this a good thing or a bad thing?

Does it matter? Cat’s out of the bag. Unity has been freed to focus on other things important for the society.

I wonder if he is going to be permanent.

Is there such a thing as a temp agency for CEOs and if so can I put in my CV?

you gotta know other CEOs from serving on Company Boards, or be extremely good friends with someone who is, AND have all the skills necessary to do the job easily.

about references like this: getting references for this kind of work can be difficult, because to someone of that economic tier, keeping your reputation up and your network connections strong are the most valuable secondary skills you can have. vouching for someone who would not be a good CEO would kill your reputation, so it doesn't really happen among the highest tier of companies. Also, boards usually vote on these things, even for interim positions, so .. ya gotta know other CEOs from serving with them on boards.

good work of you can get it, I'm sure.

> vouching for someone who would not be a good CEO would kill your reputation, so it doesn't really happen among the highest tier of companies.

Are you sure?

i tire of talk about reputation when whole social networks made of juked stats have risen and fallen.

the highest tier of companies are the ones you have not heard of, or if you have, no one dreams of leading because they're boring, making solid profits over and over while ad men try to so AMC in real life

Yes. There are executive recruiters. IYKYK.

No recruiter here - he’s Silverlake advisor, who are a major shareholder. They fired riccitello and flew in their guy.

Understood, sorry to divert the topic. Off I go back to morning tea and conversation.

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