Former Best Buy exec jumps to Symantec

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. — Symantec, a global leader in security, backup and availability solutions, has appointed Stephen Gillett as its EVP and COO.



Gillett will report to Steve Bennett, chairman and CEO, effective Friday, December 21. Prior to joining Symantec, Gillett was EVP and president of Best Buy digital, global marketing and strategy. Gillett has been a member of Symantec’s board of directors since January 2012 but will step down effective immediately. At Symantec, Gillett's initial responsibilities will include marketing, communications and the IT function.



At Best Buy, Gillett was responsible for the company's digital, e-commerce, marketing, information technology, customer insights, enterprise strategy, corporate development, new business ventures, enterprise customer care and channel design. Prior to joining Best Buy, Gillett was CIO and EVP of digital ventures at Starbucks. Prior to Starbucks Stephen held executive roles at Corbis, Yahoo and CNET.



"Stephen is the perfect fit for the direction we are taking Symantec," said Bennett. "He has been deeply involved in the transformation of a number of high profile companies at the executive level and is highly respected in the CIO community worldwide. Stephen's appointment will ensure that Symantec is well-positioned for addressing our consumer and business customers' needs. He will have an immediate impact due to his familiarity with the company from his tenure on the board. His arrival is timely as we continue to finalize our strategic direction and operational plan to be announced in late January."



"Great companies are defined by their market position, customer base, brand awareness, the quality of their products and by the type of industry they're involved in," said Gillett. "Symantec is strong in all of these areas. I look forward to working with everyone at Symantec to help the company achieve its full potential."



Gillett will operate out of Symantec's world headquarters in Mountain View, Calif. He holds a bachelor of science from the University of Oregon and an MBA from San Francisco State University.