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EDS Chief Executive Rittenmeyer to retire

Taking his place will be Joe Eazor, a current EDS senior vice president, who will report to Ann Livermore, head of HP's business technology unit.

Leslie Katz Former Culture Editor
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Leslie Katz
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Friday brought more details of Hewlett-Packard's merger with computer services giant Electronic Data Systems.

EDS Chief Executive Ronald Rittenmeyer will retire effective December 31, HP said in a statement. Taking his place will be 46-year-old Joe Eazor, a current EDS senior vice president, who will report to Ann Livermore, head of HP's business technology unit. EDS will be folded into that group, HP noted.

Joe Eazor
Joe Eazor EDS

HP announced plans in May to acquire EDS for $13.9 billion, and completed its acquisition in August. At the time, the word was that EDS would operate a new business unit, which would be called EDS, and that it would continue to be led by Rittenmeyer.

Rittenmeyer, who had reported to HP CEO Mark Hurd, joined EDS in 2005 and was named chairman and CEO in 2007. He played a key role in accelerating the company's transformation and subsequent integration within HP, Hurd said.

Eazor, for his part, was executive vice president of corporate strategy and business development at EDS prior to the acquisition. He also served as senior vice president of EDS Asia Pacific, with responsibility for more than 30,000 employees in the region including India, China, Japan, Korea, Southeast Asia, Australia, and New Zealand.

HP executives have said they bought EDS to expand HP's business beyond traditional computing and printers. HP has been trying to develop its software and services business over the last few years. EDS adds a service component that will help the company compete head-to-head with IBM.

In September, HP announced plans to cut 24,600 jobs over the next three years in the wake of its EDS purchase. In addition, a number of business publications reported Friday that HP is freezing worker salaries in a cost containment move. However, HP employees will still receive their year-end bonuses, the company said.