While nobody at IBM would dispute that its former head of M&A, David Johnson, was putting in some serious hours, they are taking issue with the fact that he spent a good deal of that time preparing to launch a technology focused VC firm, JSJ Capital Management. Johnson's indiscretions ran a bit deeper than egregious use of the copy machine and ordering dinner. He once used an IBM funded trip to the Middle East to double as a JSJ roadshow and then administered another swift kick in the teeth last May.
Having spent 30 years at IBM, Johnson recently decided to take a job at Dell which, according to IBM, violates a non-compete agreement he signed 4 years ago and, consequently, IBM is suing. Remarkably, Johnson wins either way as Dell agreed to pay him $1 million in annual compensation if IBM's suit delays his start date and prevents him from divulging every last piece of proprietary information.
IBM Says Ex-M&A Head Used Its Resources to Start Firm [Bloomberg]
Posted by guest , Jun 26, 2009 12:44PM
Just another disgruntled employer... like the UBS story. Yawn.
Posted by guest , Jun 26, 2009 12:48PM
there was no reason for that jump, greg.
Posted by guest , Jun 26, 2009 12:50PM
If an employee is happy, is he/she "gruntled"?
~Ken
Bank of America
Whoodoggies, NC
Posted by guest , Jun 26, 2009 12:51PM
ANUS,
I am going to jump you on the way home to your mother's house.
Woolly Bully
Posted by guest , Jun 26, 2009 12:55PM
Article hidden for your protection
Posted by guest , Jun 26, 2009 1:02PM
There once was a man from Mianus
Whom Dealbreaker readers called Blanus.
His mom slept with Ken;
Jeff Macke was his friend;
And no one could rival his gayness.
Posted by guest , Jun 26, 2009 1:02PM
Greg,
Spice up the titles a bit. There's nothing funny or intriguing about them. Pull us into your story. Make us interested. Use foul language, like Bess or sexual innuendos like Bess and Buffett. Or just make the title have something to do with Maxine Waters even if she has nothing to do with the story.
Posted by Anal_yst , Jun 26, 2009 1:13PM
Any ATL/law folks wanna weigh in on whether Dell did anything illegal, or something along those lines?
Posted by guest , Jun 26, 2009 1:21PM
@8 why would people from Atlanta know anything about the legality of Dell's contracts?
Posted by guest , Jun 26, 2009 1:26PM
Really Greg. Take #7's advice and go one further and just make shit up. Like, instead of David Johnson change it to David Johansen. Now you've got a interesting story of a former IBM exec, moonlighting as a venture capitalist, moonlighting as the lead singer for the New York Dolls. See?
Posted by guest , Jun 26, 2009 1:33PM
Who the hell is this Greg everyone keeps talking about?
Posted by Porker Stankleberry , Jun 26, 2009 1:38PM
@6: I'm not one of the Greg bashers, but all due respect to your excellent rhyme construction.
F.
T.
W.
Posted by Investorcluzo , Jun 26, 2009 1:40PM
@11 – greg is the new pledge in the Delta Beta fraternity. he has a number of tasks to complete before he can become a member. however, at this rate he may not learn the secret handshake until 1012...but like poker stank, I'm not a greg hater/basher/ect.
Posted by guest , Jun 26, 2009 1:42PM
@9 ATL = Above the Law douche...
Posted by guest , Jun 26, 2009 1:43PM
@8 you are an idiot.
Posted by guest , Jun 26, 2009 1:46PM
@9
Ummm....
You were kidding right?
If you were then tell me what Analyst's reference to ATL stands for?
Posted by guest , Jun 26, 2009 2:02PM
@ Anal_yst-
I'd have to read the non-compete, but I'd say it's likely IBM has a viable breach of contract claim. Dell will end up paying IBM to go away and STFU.
-ATL guy
Posted by guest , Jun 26, 2009 2:14PM
Does this guy have a job with Dell?
Posted by guest , Jun 26, 2009 2:19PM
Greg,
You're about as useful as a used condom and this post proves it.
-Wildcard bitches!
Posted by guest , Jun 26, 2009 3:03PM
capitalism!!
Posted by Anal_yst , Jun 26, 2009 4:31PM
Thanks @17