Nortel Networks Corp. (NYSE/Toronto: NT) says its chief marketing and strategy officer, Anil Khatod, is leaving the company to pursue other opportunities.

The announcement comes at a time when Nortel is experiencing large financial losses, layoffs, and a somewhat ill-defined management future. The company is currently searching for a successor to CEO John Roth, who has set his retirement date for April 2002 (see Nortel's Empty Room at the Top). Clarence Chandran, the former Nortel COO who was considered Roth's successor, resigned for health reasons (see Nortel's Chandran Resigns). Also this year, Don Smith, Nortel's former president of Optical Internet Solutions, left to join Mitel Networks (see Don Smith's Mitel Shocker).

Khatod's resignation was announced in an email sent to all Nortel employees Thursday. "Nortel Networks is grateful for Anil's leadership and contributions over the last several years," says David Chamberlin, a Nortel spokesman.

"Anil played a key role in building our optical leadership as well as in setting our marketing strategy. We wish him all the best in his new endeavors. An announcement will be made shortly regarding the leadership of the CM&SO [Chief Marketing and Strategy Officer] organization."

Khatod, who reported directly to Roth hasn't yet made his next move known. Light Reading was unable to reach him for comment.

Since joining Nortel in 1982, Khatod has been president of Nortel's Optical Internet division and its Wireless Internet business. He's also been vice president of Global Internet Solutions.

Khatod was only promoted to his current position in April. His new role put him in charge of Nortel's mergers and acquisitions activities, global marketing, technology strategy, advertising, and corporate communications.

After his promotion Khatod told The Toronto Star that Nortel was better off than its competitors in tight times because of its extensive relationships with service providers. "All the major competitors are struggling far worse than Nortel is," he told the paper.

Khatod's departure comes just days before Nortel announces its second-quarter financial results on July 19. Nortel is expected to announce a quarterly net loss of $19.2 billion on revenues of $4.5 billion (see Nortel's Nuclear Winter), which includes roughly $12 billion in special charges.

- Phil Harvey, Senior Editor, Light Reading
http://www.lightreading.com