Linux Foundation Appoints Executive to Support Initiatives in Europe

Linux Foundation Appoints Executive to Support Initiatives in Europe

25-year technology veteran will facilitate collaboration among European-based companies and community members

SAN FRANCISCO, July 7, 2009 — The Linux Foundation (LF), the nonprofit organization dedicated to accelerating the growth of Linux, today announced it has appointed Axel Petrak as its new Director of Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA). Mr. Petrak will work with companies and community members in the region to facilitate collaboration on advancing Linux with activities such as exclusive events, training workshops, technical workgroups, and more.

“While Linux benefits from a distributed development model that relies on contributions from people around the globe, regional focus for Linux Foundation activities can accelerate important work on the platform,” said Jim Zemlin, executive director, The Linux Foundation. “We’re grateful to have Axel, an executive of such high caliber and with perfectly-matched experience, join our team.”

Companies and individuals from across Europe represent important leadership in the Linux community and broader open source software communities. The embedded, telecommunications and automotive industries, with major R&D hubs in Europe, are increasingly relying on Linux to increase margins and advance technologies to meet customer expectations. And, with governments across the region encouraging the use of Linux and open source, the Linux Foundation can play a pivotal role in bringing together major stakeholders in Europe to address these opportunities.

“The Linux Foundation is recognized throughout the world for helping to bring Linux stakeholders together to address common requirements. I’m looking forward to contributing to those efforts with specific activities defined together with the community here in EMEA,” said Axel Petrak, director of EMEA, The Linux Foundation.

Axel Petrak has more than 25 years of IT experience with positions that have spanned sales, business development and technology support. Prior to joining the Linux Foundation, he spent 13 years at Intel GmbH in Germany where he held senior management positions in sales, alliance management, and channel and business development. Most recently, Mr. Petrak was Director of Global Alliance & Sales, EMEA, for Intel’s embedded and telecommunications division.

Before joining Intel, Mr. Petrak was at Banyan Systems where he worked in sales and technical support positions in both Australia and Germany.

Mr. Petrak holds a Certificate from the Australian Institute of Management and has completed the INSEAD Europe Campus Fontainbleau executive education training on “Market Strategy.” He is also Director of the Crew Welfare Initiative, a worldwide nonprofit organization focused on using Linux-based solutions to improve communications within the maritime industry.

About the Linux Foundation
The Linux Foundation is a nonprofit consortium dedicated to fostering the growth of Linux. Founded in 2007, the Linux Foundation sponsors the work of Linux creator Linus Torvalds and is supported by leading Linux and open source companies and developers from around the world. The Linux Foundation promotes, protects and standardizes Linux by providing resources and services that include exclusive events and online collaboration, including LinuxCon and Linux.com. For more information, please visit the Foundation website.

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