Stadus quits Toshiba

IT industry veteran Ralph Stadus has quit his post as general manager at Toshiba Australia's information systems division, after three years in the role.

Stadus would be replaced by Toshiba's national marketing and retail business manager Mark Whittard on 1 May. Whittard has been with the company for five years and was overseeing the retail business and all areas of marketing.

Commenting on his departure Stadus, who turns 50 in May, said he would focus on other business and personal investments he has made outside the IT industry. 'In the PC business, by 50, you need to be getting out, it's a young person's game because it runs so hard and fast,' he told CRN.

Stadus has worked at GM level for the past 12 years, previously holding positions at Dell Computer and Digital Equipment Corporation.

'Overall, I've been working at GM level for 12 years. I enjoy the strategy side of it -- but the day-to-day operational driving, I've done enough of that,' he said.

He would, however, consult to Toshiba managers in an 'advisory role' on business strategy and re-engineering for one week a month, he said.

'There are personal and business things that I need to manage. I have a range of investments that I'm managing.'

He was also working on projects with Toshiba MD Hidehito Murato in the industry but outside the notebook business, he said.

Stadus and his wife are also involved in property development and are building a contemporary, architecturally-designed home in the southern NSW country town of Berry. The property includes 65 acres of sub-tropical rainforest, he said.

Stadus said he now had an opportunity to combine personal and business interests and live a more flexible lifestyle.