Sun names new communications exec

Sun Microsystems on Thursday named a new executive to its top communications post, in the latest example of ascendance of executives from the company's software group, CNET News.com has learned.

Ingrid van den Hoogen replaced Andrew Lark, who is leaving the company after three years as vice president of worldwide communications and marketing, the server and software company confirmed.

Sun has elevated several software executives to more prominent posts since Jonathan Schwartz was promoted from executive vice president of software to president in 2004.

Former software chief technology officer John Fowler now is running Sun's x86 server group. And Graham Lovell, former director of marketing for Sun's Solaris operating system, replaced John Fanelli, who just left his post leading x86 servers marketing.

Lark left to "pursue other opportunities," Sun said in a statement.

Van den Hoogen previously was Sun's vice president of brand experience and community marketing and had led efforts to boost recognition of Sun's Java software brand, among other tasks. In her new post, she'll keep that responsibility, Sun spokeswoman May Petry said.