PC veteran exits Toshiba

Toshiba America confirmed that the executive vice president of its computer systems group has left the company to pursue other interests.

Rod Keller, who had been with Toshiba since 1996, worked for the computer systems group for two years. Before that, he served as vice president of sales for Toshiba America's electronics components storage device division. Before joining Toshiba America, Keller worked for Dell and Compaq Computer.

A representative for Toshiba confirmed Keller's departure, but declined to offer more details such as when the company will name a replacement.

Toshiba is expected to discuss changes within its executive ranks sometime later this month, however.

While executives change jobs fairly often at Toshiba, the company has been through a difficult period lately. Shipments of its notebook PCs, one of its key products, fell by 21 percent worldwide during the second quarter, according to IDC. The research firm said that pricing pressure in the United States and weakness in the PC market in Japan took their toll on the company's shipments during the quarter.