Executive dominoes at eBay 

By Staff -- Home Textiles Today, 1/24/2008 12:18:00 PM

San Jose, Calif. – Checking out of her post as president and ceo of online auction giant eBay Inc. is Meg Whitman and checking in to replace her is John Donahoe, promoted from his post over the past three years as president of eBay Marketplaces, the company reported today.

Whitman’s last day on the job will be March 31 – which marks a decade since she joined the company. She will remain on eBay’s board of directors.

Whitman is credited with helping grow eBay rapidly over a 10-year period from a U.S.-only, auction-based trading site with $4.7 million in revenue, 500,000 registered users and just 30 employees to the $7.7 billion operation it is today, supported by “hundreds of millions” of users worldwide and more than 15,000 employees.

“She has built an unforgettable portfolio of brands and a thriving business that enables millions of people to trade, pay and communicate online,” the company said.

Donahoe came to eBay in February 2005 from Bain & Company, where he had served as worldwide managing director since 1999. In his three years at eBay presiding over eBay Marketplaces, which accounts for more than 70% of the company's revenues, the business unit’s revenues and profits have doubled, the company said.

In related news, eBay announced that Rajiv Dutta, currently president of PayPal, has been promoted to evp of eBay Inc. and will also replace Donahoe as president of eBay Marketplaces. Additionally, he has been elected to the eBay board of directors.

Bill Cobb, president of eBay North America, has opted to retire from his post. Replacing him is Lorrie Norrington, currently president of eBay International. She has become president of eBay Marketplaces operations and assumes Cobb's responsibilities. She reports to Dutta.