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EBay Honcho Whitman to Step Down

High-profile CEO preparing for retirement, insiders say

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Jan 22, 2008 3:50 AM CST
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(Newser) – Meg Whitman is getting ready step down as eBay chief executive, the Wall Street Journal reports. She has been delegating more of her responsibilities, insiders tell the Journal,  and preparing for a successor to take charge. Whitman has been at the helm of eBay for almost a decade, a particularly long time for Silicon Valley.

Since taking charge in 1998, Whitman has presided over 40 consecutive quarters of growth for the online auction site, and has seen sales leap from $86 million to almost $6 billion. John Donahoe, president of eBay's auction business unit, is said to be the leading candidate to succeed her, and will have to deal with the firm's slowing momentum and stagnant sales.

The exterior of the eBay Inc. headquarters is seen in San Jose, Calif., Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2007. Meg Whitman has presided over years of spectacular growth at the online auction site but it's momentum is gradually slowing down. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)
The exterior of the eBay Inc. headquarters is seen in San Jose, Calif., Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2007. Meg Whitman has presided over years of spectacular growth at the online auction site but it's momentum...   (Associated Press)
eBay Inc. CEO Meg Whitman gives the keynote address to eBay sellers gathered at the eBay Live conference in Boston, Thursday, June 14, 2007. Insiders say that Whitman is preparing to step down as chief executive. (AP Photo/Josh Reynolds)
eBay Inc. CEO Meg Whitman gives the keynote address to eBay sellers gathered at the eBay Live conference in Boston, Thursday, June 14, 2007. Insiders say that Whitman is preparing to step down as chief...   (Associated Press)
EBay CEO Meg Whitman smiles as she speaks the Web 2.0 Summit in San Francisco, Thursday, Oct. 18, 2007. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)
EBay CEO Meg Whitman smiles as she speaks the Web 2.0 Summit in San Francisco, Thursday, Oct. 18, 2007. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)   (Associated Press)
eBay Inc. CEO Meg Whitman gives the keynote address to eBay sellers gathered at the eBay Live conference in Boston, Thursday, June 14, 2007. (AP Photo/Josh Reynolds)
eBay Inc. CEO Meg Whitman gives the keynote address to eBay sellers gathered at the eBay Live conference in Boston, Thursday, June 14, 2007. (AP Photo/Josh Reynolds)   (Associated Press)
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Interview with Meg Whitman
WSRadio.com

How eBay changed the world
USA Today

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