Threat to remove CEO from post in Huang Renxun’s espionage scandal, media names Su Zifeng and four other possible successors

HUIDA CEOJen-Hsun Huang Admitted having close ties to Huang Le, a senior executive at Singapore data center company MegaSpeed, who is suspected of working for mainland China’s intelligence agencies. The information said headhunting companies may be looking to find a suitable successor to recommend to Huida’s board of directors if the board decides to replace Huang Renxun. The report suggested two surprising potential candidates:super micro (AMD) Chief Executive OfficerSu Zifeng (Lisa Su) and Arm CEO René Haas.

Supermicro, led by Su Zifeng, is Huida’s direct competitor in the field of AI chips. The Information previously reported that “Supermicro is Huida’s only real competitive rival.” Su Zifeng successfully improved AMD’s competitiveness. Under his leadership, AMD’s revenues ended years of stagnant growth and increased significantly.

However, the competitive relationship between Huida and Super Micro may make it difficult for Su Zifeng to change jobs, and her cousin’s relationship with Huang Renxun may also make it more difficult. Therefore, Haas may be a better option. He is familiar with the semiconductor industry and worked at HUIDA for 7 years early in his career. The Associated Press reported that outside speculation also includes HUDA co-founder and senior technology director Chris Malachowski (Chris Malachowski) and Chief Financial Officer Colette Cress (Colette Cress).

The information pointed out that Huida’s board of directors currently has no intention of replacing Huang Renxun, but some people close to Huida may already be considering filing. Eventually, Huang Renxun had an extramarital affair with Huang Le, who was suspected of engaging in espionage activities for China. Huida’s brand image has suffered some damage due to the related controversy.

In addition, Huida is facing increasingly powerful competitors, and Huida’s board of directors, the US Congress, and the FBI have all launched investigations into the matter. The information believes that these investigations will inevitably distract Huang Renxun from being as strong in his dealings with customers as in the past or imagining new ways to sell chips. His position as the AI ​​industry’s most important advocate has also been seriously damaged. Even if the board of directors ultimately finds that it has committed no wrongdoing, its reputation may still not be fully restored.

One reason is that even if the board of directors determines that there is no problem with Huang Renxun, outsiders may still question whether it is just because Huida lacks a clear successor. Huang Renxun is a key figure in Huida’s operations. The Information reported in 2023 that he is “involved in nearly every aspect of the company’s daily operations.” However, Huida has no clear No. 2 man who can take over. Chief Financial Officer Chris may be able to take over temporarily, but he is not suitable to be a permanent successor.

Information believes that the absence of a clear successor is not an ideal arrangement under any circumstances and has now become a serious problem. Nevertheless, as such investigations expand, Huang may eventually have to step down. He may gradually realize that as Huida’s major shareholder, restarting the company may be in his and all other shareholders’ interests.

In an email sent to employees on the 8th, Huang Renxun said that he was “committed to protecting Huida.” The information believes that this could mean that he will have to step down at his own cost.