July 8, 2008 – (HOSTSEARCH.COM) – Mr. Bill Roper has resigned as CEO of VeriSign and from its board, it was reported recently. Responding to the move the company has placed Founder and Chairman Jim Bidzos at the helm on an interim basis. Mr. Roper was CEO of the company for just over a year. No official word has been given for the reasons for his departure and the move saw the company’s shares decline by around 1.3%. Roper originally took over from Stratton D. Sclavos, who himself left the CEO position for “undisclosed reasons”. While Mr. Roper was CEO of the company, shares increased by 45%.
In a statement, the VeriSign board suggested it "feels a sense of urgency to better position the company to take advantage of not only the growth opportunities in the core businesses, but to develop a strategic growth plan to identify new compelling opportunities that align with our company's core competencies and are an ideal fit under the VeriSign brand." The statement also suggested that Bidzos will remain CEO of the company until a CEO and President "that matches this compelling profile" is found.
VeriSign has a range of activities, including a communications division, and recently suggested it would sell a number of businesses that do not support its central business. The company’s global Digital Brand Management Services were bought out by Australian web hosting provider Melbourne IT in May at a price of US$50 million. The company recently announced it will either meet or beat second-quarter estimates.
