Sean Maloney, an Intel senior executive, tipped by most Intel observers as the eventual successor to Paul Otellini, CEO, suffered a stroke over the weekend and will take a medical leave of absence.

Intel said:

Maloney's prognosis for a full recovery is excellent and he is expected to resume all of his business responsibilities after a period of recuperation which is thought to be several months, the company said. His duties in the interim will be assumed by Dadi Perlmutter, also executive vice president and general manager (with Maloney) of the Intel Architecture Group.

"I visited with Sean and his sense of humor and determination to return to work fill the room" said Intel President and CEO Paul Otellini.

Intel's Sean Maloney to Take Medical Leave

The British executive is known for his intensity and hard driving approach to his job. He used to be Technical Assistant to Andy Grove, former CEO and chairman of Intel and one of its earliest employees.

Mr Maloney has earned a reputation within Intel for fixing troubled business groups. He currently co-manages the Intel Architecture Group.

Several large computer companies have tried to headhunt Mr Maloney over the past ten years, including Hewlett-Packard. He is considered one of the top executives in the global tech industry.

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[I am a member of "Intel Insiders" a small advisory group working with Intel.]