Riverbed®, The Digital Performance Company™, today announced that industry veteran David Murphy has been appointed interim CEO, to drive continued momentum for the Company’s Digital Networking and Digital Experience Management businesses.  Murphy is the former President and COO of Blue Coat Systems and the current Riverbed Chairman of the Board and a Thoma Bravo Senior Operating Partner. A search is underway to find a permanent CEO. Outgoing CEO Paul Mountford, who is leaving the Company to take another executive position in the industry, is working closely with Murphy to ensure a smooth leadership transition.  

Murphy is one of the Silicon Valley’s most highly regarded business executives with over 30 years of experience in leadership roles driving market adoption and disruptive growth. As a part of the senior leadership team at Blue Coat Systems, he helped nearly double the revenue and profitability of the business over a three-year period, and successfully repositioned the company as a leading next-generation security vendor. Prior to Blue Coat, David was instrumental in building Mercury Interactive and Tivoli Systems into market leaders. Murphy has held interim CEO roles twice before, including at Qlik and Apttus.     

“Having spent my entire career at some of the premier companies within the technology industry and closely working with Riverbed for the last year as a strategic advisor and Chairman, I’ve recognized and appreciated the trusted position that Riverbed has with its customers and partners, as well as the significant market opportunity that exists,” said Murphy. “I look forward to working even more closely with the executive team as we continue to deliver against our strategy and drive growth in two very unique and strong markets: Digital Networking and Digital Experience Management.”

Orlando Bravo, Thoma Bravo Founder and Managing Partner, said, “We thank previous CEO, Paul Mountford for his leadership at the company, and wish him the best in his future endeavors. He has played an important role in creating the right structure to drive greater focus and expertise for the business. I’ve known David for many years, and I’m confident in his ability to lead the business forward.  We are committed to Riverbed’s success and look forward to continuing to deliver great value to Riverbed’s customers and partners, and maximizing the Company’s full potential in a $20 Billion total addressable market.”