Otellini served as Intel's fifth chief executive from 2005 through 2013 and left the company when it was completely dominating the world of x86 processors. He also worked with Apple as it moved away from PowerPC chips and adopted Intel's wares.
After retiring in 2013, Otellini revealed one major regret during his tenure was not getting Intel into the mobile market. The company came into that area too late to make any impact.
Intel CEO Brian Krzanich said in a statement that he was deeply saddened by Otellini's death.
"He was the relentless voice of the customer in a sea of engineers, and he taught us that we only win when we put the customer first."
Otellini joined Intel in 1974 and served various roles throughout his career, including chief operating officer from 2003 to 2005. He would go on to spend almost 40 years at the company. He was the company's first non-engineer to hold the CEO role.
Otellini was born in San Francisco on October 12, 1950. He received a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of San Francisco in 1972 and an MBA from the University of California, Berkeley in 1974. He joined Intel in 1974 and served in a number of positions, including general manager of Intel’s Peripheral Components Operation and the Folsom Microcomputer Division, and in 1989 as then-CEO Andy Grove’s chief of staff.
From 1990 to 2002, he held various positions at Intel, including executive vice president and general manager of the Intel Architecture Group, responsible for the company’s microprocessor and chipset businesses and strategies for desktop, mobile and enterprise computing, as well as executive vice president and general manager of the Sales and Marketing Group. Otellini also served as chief operating officer from 2002 to 2005.
“Paul’s business acumen, optimism and dedication fueled our growth throughout his tenure as CEO,” Intel Chairman Andy Bryant said. “His tireless drive, discipline and humility were cornerstones of his leadership and live on in our company values to this day.”
He is survived by his wife; his son, Patrick; and his daughter, Alexis. Since he retired, Otellini dedicated time to mentoring young people and being involved with several philanthropic and charitable organizations, including the San Francisco Symphony and San Francisco General Hospital Foundation.
