Since starting my blogging part in the PDF world, I’ve gotten used to a few things--the look of web pages I visit, the writers and editors I read, the multiple passwords I use, and the same names I always see. They’re cornerstones in my “PDF life”, so to say.
As computer users, we’re conditioned to the time frame of the Internet, where being outdated means being 3 years old. Thus, when faces and names are around for longer than that, you’re confronted with a stark contrast that hits you in an odd way.
Not sure what I’m talking about? Take for instance movie sequels, prequels, series and the originals in between. Perfect examples—Star Wars and James Bond. Who was the first Bond actor you ever watched? Which was your favourite Star Wars cast? There some things that are just set and etched in your mind whether you like it or not.
And so, there came to be one name that got “etched” into mine, and one epithet that I got used to writing: “Adobe CEO Bruce Chizen “.
Last week it was suddenly announced that he made a personal decision to leave Adobe Systems Inc.
Adobe Press Release reports that he’ll stay on as CEO until the beginning of December when Shantanu Narayen, President and COO, will then take over Chizen’s position. Narayen, who was one of the key figures in for the Macromedia acquisition in 2005, joined Adobe Systems Inc. in January 1998 as vice president and general manager of Adobe’s engineering technology group.
After this transition, Chizen will take up a strategic advisory position for the remainder of his term until the fiscal 2008 year ends, which puts another marker in Adobe’s history-- and my PDF one as well.
Everyone is summarizing on his career, his countless contributions and his major accomplishments as a way of honouring and remembering him. How will I remember Bruce Chizen? Hmmm. . . .
As the subject of my blog postings and musings.
As the smiling face beside the executive profile I’ve read about a dozen times.
As the slightly accented voice in countless interviews I’ve listened to during my research.
And. . . as the first CEO of Adobe in my “PDF life”.
