Kris Hagerman, Corel (photo supplied)

Corel Corporation Monday proclaimed Kris Hagerman, formerly a senior adviser at the company trying to buy Corel, as its interim chief executive officer, effective May 8.

Mr. Hagerman's appointment follows the April 21 announcement that current CEO David Dobson will leave Corel to reconnect with his family and to take a senior executive position at a different company.

"During the transition period, Dobson will remain a director on Corel's Board and assist in evaluating the strategic alternatives available to the company, including the previously announced proposal by Vector Capital," a release from the company stated.

An experienced industry executive, Mr. Hagerman most recently served as a senior adviser at Vector Capital. Before that, he helped Symantec's data center management group generate $1.7 billion, or approximately 30 per cent, of its 2007 revenue.

Mr. Hagerman has also held senior positions with Veritas Software Corporation, was the founder and CEO of two consumer Internet companies, and also served in positions at Silicon Graphics and McKinsey & Company, Inc.

"We are very pleased to have a proven executive like Kris Hagerman join Corel," said Alex Slusky, chairman of Corel's board of directors and managing partner of Vector Capital. "Kris' deep experience and successful track record in software are a great fit for Corel. The board is confident he will provide strong leadership for the company while we conduct a search for a permanent chief executive."

"Corel is truly one of the world's leaders in consumer software," said Mr. Hagerman. "I look forward to working with Corel's management team and employees to continue the company's successful trajectory through this transition period."

Mr. Dobson has not disclosed which Fortune 500 company he is headed to, other than to say that it has an Ottawa connection and that he and his family would likely relocate to New England.

See also, Vector's Corel bid too low: analysts, published in the OBJ Apr. 14, 2008..

For more information on Kris Hagerman, please visit www.corel.com/executivebios.