PC Maker Matures : Industrialists to Get 2 Board Seats at AST
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Just two months after jumping into the fierce competition among personal computer makers, AST Research Inc. has nominated two veterans of the consumer products and services industries to its board of directors.
The Irvine-based computer products company said Tuesday that it has asked Richard J. Goeglein, president and chief operating officer of Holiday Corp., and Phillip D. Matthews, chairman and chief executive of Echelon Sports Corp. and owner of Bell Sports Inc., to stand for election to the board at the May 19 annual meeting.
The two nominees will replace venture capitalists Michael C. Child and Henry F. McCance.
In a prepared statement, Child, vice president of TA Associates, and McCance, managing partner of Greylock Ventures, said they believe that AST has matured to the point that it now needs directors with “industrial experience and expertise” rather than “typical venture capitalists.”
The move comes just as AST is beginning to speed up production of its new line of personal computers, its first foray into the “PC-clone” industry. Previously, the company concentrated exclusively on computer accessories and enhancement products.
Variety of Corporate Roles
Goeglein, who has more than 25 years of experience in various service industries, currently serves on the board of Holiday Corp., the hotel chain operator, in his capacity as chief operating officer. He also has served as corporate vice president at W.R. Grace & Co. and chief executive of its Consumer Services Group; as chairman, president and chief executive of Hungry Tiger Inc., and as president and chief executive officer of Uniworld Foods Inc.
Matthews, who has 15 years of corporate experience with consumer product companies, has spent the last six years as an entrepreneur and investor.
Before becoming chief executive of Echelon Sports and owner of several related sports companies, Matthews served as executive vice president and director of Dart Industries Inc. and chief financial officer of the merged Dart & Kraft Inc.
Earlier, Matthews spent seven years with PepsiCo Inc. as senior vice president of operations for both the Frito-Lay and Wilson Sporting Goods divisions. He is currently serving on several boards including Wolverine Worldwide Inc. and Ivy Medical Inc.
