NATION

International Business Machines Corp. has named the head of its Asia-Pacific operations to take over its personal computer organization. Richard T. Gerstner, 49, was named general manager of IBM Personal Systems, which includes typewriters and printers as well as personal computers. Edward E. Lucente, 48, will take over Gerstner’s job as group executive of the IBM World Trade Asia-Pacific Group. He most recently oversaw manufacturing and staff consolidations in IBM United States.

The top job in IBM Personal Systems had been open since July, when George H. Conrades, 49, was named general manager of the newly formed U.S. Marketing & Services group.