Compaq CEO Contender Withdraws Name

Continental Airlines Inc. President Greg Brenneman withdrew his name from Compaq Computer Corp.’s list of candidates for its chief executive post, saying he had further work to accomplish at the airline. “I am happy here at Continental, and while I have had discussions with Compaq, I do not intend to pursue them further,” Brenneman, 37, said. He also said he asked Compaq to remove his name from further consideration. The news is a blow for Houston-based Compaq, which has been searching for a new leader since Chief Executive Eckhard Pfeiffer was thrown out in April by Chairman Ben Rosen, who is running the company. On the New York Stock Exchange, Continental rose $1.44 to close at $38.50, and Compaq closed down 6 cents at $22.31, before news of Brenneman’s withdrawal.