Exec leaves Novell Stone cold

Network software maker Novell lost a key strategist in its turnaround today.

Technology industry veteran Chris Stone, senior vice president of corporate strategy and development, has resigned from the rebounding firm to found an Internet start-up firm that plans to specialize in e-commerce application software that takes advantage of directory services--coincidentally, a key component in Novell's resurgence.

Stone was brought in by chief executive Eric Schmidt soon after Schmidt, the former Sun Microsystems technology guru, joined the company to re-focus the firm on a few essential strategic goals based on the Internet and network software.

Those primarily centered on the creation of a market for software that could take advantage of Novell's core expertise in directory services, a tool that essentially serves as a phone book of sophisticated information concerning computer users attached to a network.

Stone's new venture plans to build software for directory services such as Novell's.

"Over the last two years he made a significant contribution to our work to make Novell the leader in directory-enabled networking," said Schmidt in a statement. "We look forward to working with him in his new endeavor."

Stone's departure follows the recent resignation of chief marketer John Slitz.

The start-up, called Network Decisions, will be based in Concord, Massachusetts, and New York. Though Novell's primary offices are in Provo, Utah, and San Jose, California, Stone resides in the Boston area.