Sybase Chief Quits to Focus on Commerce One

Sybase Inc. Chairman Mark Hoffman resigned from the software company, effective immediately, to concentrate on running a closely held electronic commerce start-up. Hoffman, 52, spent 12 years with Sybase as co-founder, president, chairman and chief executive. He will leave the Emeryville-based company to focus on Commerce One Inc., a company developing electronic commerce software products. Hoffman started Commerce One in April and is its president and chief executive. Between starting Sybase and Commerce One, Hoffman helped form Intraware Inc., an electronic provider of intranet software and services. Sybase shares fell 13 cents to close at $13.75 on Nasdaq. It will report second-quarter earnings July 17.