LOS ALTOS, CA: The David and Lucile Packard Foundation has hired
Christopher DeCardy as its new director of communications. The position
has been unfilled for two years.
His appointment comes during a time of intense scrutiny for the
foundation, which has made no official decision regarding its support of
the proposed Hewlett-Packard-Compaq merger.
A public battle erupted when Walter Hewlett, son of HP cofounder
William, opposed the merger publicly. David Packard, son of the other
founder, has also objected to the deal.
The foundation is the largest single HP shareholder, with 10.4% of the
stock. A foundation board meeting is scheduled for December 7.
DeCardy, currently executive director of Environmental Media Services,
will officially take the post in February 2002.
