Paul Cormier (engineer)
Paul J. Cormier | |
|---|---|
| Born | November 4, 1959 Fitchburg, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Occupation | Business executive |
| Years active | 2001–2024 |
| Known for | Chairman and former CEO of Red Hat |
Paul J. Cormier is a prominent American corporate leader currently serving as the chairman of Red Hat. He held the position of CEO from April 2020 until July 2022.
Early life and education
Born on November 4, 1959, in Fitchburg, Cormier's fascination with computing began during a summer employment at Digital Equipment Corporation. He obtained his bachelor's degree from Fitchburg State University and later completed an MBA at Rochester Institute of Technology. After finishing his studies, he engaged in advanced engineering programs offered by both IBM and Digital.
Career at Red Hat
Joining Red Hat in May 2001 as Executive Vice President of Engineering, Cormier was instrumental in promoting the commercialization of open source technologies and enhancing cloud-based solutions. His contributions were vital in the creation and growth of Red Hat Enterprise Linux.
Ascension to CEO and Chairman roles
Cormier assumed the role of CEO on April 6, 2020, succeeding Jim Whitehurst. He stepped into the chairman position on July 12, 2022, when Matt Hicks was named CEO.
Retirement
On April 1, 2024, Cormier concluded his career at Red Hat, marking the end of a 24-year association with the company.