- Top Hat: Linux-software maker Red Hat Inc. promoted VP of operations Kevin Thompson to CFO. Before joining Red Hat last month, Thompson was a partner in the global technology industry group of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. He replaces Hal Covert, who left the Research Triangle Park, N.C.-based company in July for hardware maker SGI.
- Playing it Kool: Louisville, Ky.- based Tobacco firm Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corp. named VP and controller Jeff Eckmann SVP and CFO. Current CFO Carl Schoenbachler was appointed to another role in the U.S. group, though the company didn’t specify his new title. Brown & Williamson’s brands include Kool and Lucky Strike cigarettes.
- They’re Speechless: Speech recognition software maker Lernout & Hauspie Speech Products NV said it will be looking for a new finance chief. Current acting CFO Carl Dammekens will be taking a different, unspecified, position with the Belgian company. The decision was part of an announcement of various management changes, including the appointment of John Duerden as sole managing director. He was named CEO in late August. Company founders Jo Lernout and Pol Hauspie stepped down from co-chair and managing- director positions. Furthermore, the company is restating its financials from the past 2 1/2 years. L&H’s recent ongoing problems include an investigation by the SEC and scrutiny from investors and other regulators over possible accounting improprieties and fraud lawsuits from stockholders.
- Cummins and Goings: Columbus, Ind.- based diesel-engine maker Cummins Inc. named Thomas Linebarger as VP and CFO. Linebarger, who previously served as the firm’s VP of supply chain management, succeeds Kiran Patel, who left last month to join iMotors.com Inc.
- CellPoint Inc. has located a new CFO. Lars Wadell was appointed to the top finance spot at the New York-based provider of wireless locator technology. Wadell joins the company from Swedish firm Telia Mobile International, where he was VP of business management.
- It’s Been a Gas… Denver-based oil- and-natural gas firm Barrett Resources Corp. announced the retirement of CFO J. Frank Keller. The company said it is looking for his successor. Keller, who was one of the company’s founders, made $275,000 in salary last year, and exercised $509,000 in options.