This week Mark Emkjer resigned as Accelrys’ president, chief executive office, and director. He will leave the company on Jan. 31.
On Jan. 5, the company’s board appointed Todd Johnson to serve as CEO on an interim basis, according to a company statement.
Johnson has been a high-technology executive for over 20 years. Most recently, Mr. Johnson was CEO of Kontiki, a managed peer-to-peer technology firm before it was acquired by VeriSign, an Internet infrastructure provider that offers, among other products, identity and authentication services.
Johnson began his career with Hewlett Packard and spent 11 years at Silicon Graphics, where he became senior vice president of worldwide marketing.
According to Accelrys Johnson will be paid an annual base salary of $420,000 and will be eligible for a bonus of up to 100 percent of his base salary “based upon the achievement of objectives to be agreed upon by the Board.”
As part of Emkjer’s separation agreement, he will receive $315,000, minus applicable withholdings; and for 12 months following Feb. 1 he will receive a monthly fee of $140,000, minus applicable withholdings. He will also receive 24 months of COBRA health coverage benefits beginning Feb. 1.