‘To be clear, this decision is not based on a lack of faith in Intel or our strategy. In fact, I’ve never been more confident in the long-term prospects of success for Intel,’ writes departing Intel channel stalwart Jason Kimrey in a LinkedIn post as the company makes big cuts and changes.

Departing Intel channel stalwart Jason Kimrey revealed on Thursday that he is leaving the chipmaker because he accepted an “early retirement opportunity” and said the decision “is not based on a lack of faith” in the company or its strategy.

Kimrey, a 23-year Intel veteran who was most recently vice president of North America commercial and partner sales, made the announcement in a post on LinkedIn, where he also said that he plans to “remain in the industry” and will announce his future plans soon.

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In his LinkedIn post, Kimrey acknowledged the challenges currently facing Intel but said he remains bullish on the company’s future despite his decision to leave.

“To be clear, this decision is not based on a lack of faith in Intel or our strategy. In fact, I’ve never been more confident in the long-term prospects of success for Intel,” he wrote. “And while the transformation Intel is embarking on is tough, it’s also critical. Not just for Intel, but for the industry at large.”

Kimrey, who said he is wrapping up his job this week, added that a “healthy Intel is good for our customers, our partners, the industry and quite frankly, the world.”

“I have loved working for Intel. The people, the customers, and partners have provided me with the best experience and friendships I could imagine,” he wrote in closing. “I’ll be forever grateful for the opportunity to work here and look forward to finding ways to partner with Intel in the future to drive mutual growth.”

Intel informed employees in the Sales and Marketing Group (SMG) on Sept. 13 of Kimrey’s plan to leave the company, CRN exclusively reported earlier this month.

The news of his departure was considered a shock by Intel partners, who considered him the “face of the channel” for the chipmaker, which is undergoing massive spending cuts and seismic changes in response to worsening financial conditions. Kimrey has been recognized as one of the most influential channel chiefs by CRN for the past six years.

Partners, Colleagues Recognize Kimrey’s Channel Impact

Dozens of co-workers, partners and industry colleagues quickly responded to Kimrey’s LinkedIn post with well wishes and messages recognizing his outsized impact at Intel and in the channel.

“You have been a pillar of the sales and channel organization for longer than I can remember. Your depth and dedication to Intel delivered huge results over the years, and I am sure whatever you do next will be impactful and enjoyable,” wrote Shannon Poulin, a former Intel channel executive who is now COO at Intel-owned Altera.

Rowley Man, senior director of partner scale for Asia Pacific and Japan at Intel, wrote: “I’ve always admired your dedication and leadership in driving channel business—you consistently exemplify Intel’s values.”

Kimrey has “been an inspiration to many” and his “impact will be felt beyond [his] presence at Intel,” according to Suresh Kumar Tulluri, vice president and global head of global strategic ecosystems at global systems integrator HCLTech.

Angela Rago, senior category manager of client solutions at CDW, wrote that Kimrey’s “leadership and support in our CDW partnership will remain part of the inspiration that drives us towards success with our customers!”

Kimrey Departs Amid Big Cuts At Intel, Sales Group

Kimrey is leaving Intel after the company in February appointed him as head of the North America commercial and partner sales organization in conjunction with the creation of the group, which combined the U.S. channel scale and partners team with U.S. and Canadian commercial and partner teams. He previously served as the chipmaker’s channel chief for the Americas for nearly seven years.

Kimrey’s departure coincided with a few other senior channel leaders leaving Intel, which included David Allen, a 31-year veteran who was most recently director of U.S. distribution sales and marketing; and Jennifer Bossin, a 9-year veteran who was sales director of global systems integrator partnerships.

The exits are happening as Intel is cutting SMG’s costs by more than 35 percent as part of its move to slash more than 15,000 employees, or 15 percent of its total workforce and over $10 billion in overall costs. Partners have voiced concerns about how cuts and employee departures in SMG—their main conduit for working with Intel—could impact the channel.

In previous statements to CRN, Intel has reiterated that it’s “deeply committed to the success of our partners” and said the chipmaker is “strengthening our focus on our channel partner ecosystem as Intel transforms into a more efficient, agile company.”

Last week, Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger said the company plans to lay off thousands of employees after the company reduced more than half of the 15,000 jobs it targeted for elimination through early retirement packages and voluntary buyouts.

Gelsinger disclosed the progress on Intel’s workforce reduction drive as part of a company update where he revealed that the company will turn its contract chip manufacturing business, Intel Foundry, into an independent subsidiary among other changes that he said will improve the chipmaker’s profitability and competitiveness.

“We still have difficult decisions to make and will notify impacted employees in the middle of October,” the CEO said in a public letter to employees on Sept. 16.