Skype Appoints New Chief Legal and Regulatory Officer

Neal Goldman, BSBA '73, JD '76 - Skype today announced that it has added two seasoned technology leaders to its senior management team. In June, Neal Goldman will join as Chief Legal and Regulatory Officer and Doug Bewsher will join as Chief Marketing Officer. As Chief Legal and Regulatory Officer, Neal will have oversight over all legal and regulatory matters for Skype. Doug will oversee Skype's global brand and marketing, as well as local go-to-market activities. Both Neal and Doug will report to Skype CEO Josh Silverman and be based in Luxembourg at Skype's headquarters.

"Skype is a rapidly growing global brand that is becoming increasingly integrated into people's personal and professional lives. As such, Skype is facing complex legal and regulatory issues," said Josh Silverman, Skype's Chief Executive Officer. "We are therefore excited to be joined by Neal and Doug at this stage of Skype's global development."

"Neal's unique mix of leadership of company legal oversight, IP, and internal management functions is a solid addition to Skype's capabilities. As our business faces new opportunities and challenges, grows externally and internally, Neal's deep global legal and governance experience will serve Skype well. Robert Miller will continue in his role as Vice President -- Legal and I want to commend him for his outstanding work and superior legal guidance for Skype," said Silverman.

"Doug is joining the Skype team as we continue to expose our 560 million registered users to an even richer Skype experience and accelerate the introduction of Skype to millions of people in innovative ways," said Silverman. "Doug will shepherd Skype's viral technology marketing, advertising and digital strategy; he will make an immediate and important impact."

Neal joins from 3Com, which was recently acquired by Hewlett-Packard, where he served as Executive Vice President, Chief Legal and Administrative Officer. At 3Com, Neal was responsible for the legal department, acted as corporate secretary and directed 3Com's intellectual property program. Prior to 3Com, Neal's career began 25 years ago at the Data General Corporation, and he held a series of positions including general counsel with Lotus Development Corporation, Nets Inc. and Polaroid Corporation. Neal graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Suffolk University and received a Juris Doctorate from Suffolk University Law School in 1976.

Business Wire, May 17, 2010