3Com Names Claflin CEO, Replacing Benhamou

Computer networking equipment maker 3Com Corp. said Bruce Claflin, president and chief operating officer, will replace Eric Benhamou as chief executive, effective Jan. 1. The move came two years after Claflin joined Santa Clara, Calif.-based 3Com after 22 years at IBM Corp. and a later stint at Digital Equipment Corp., now owned by Compaq Computer Corp. Benhamou, 45, and Claflin, 48, have now completed 3Com’s reorganization that was announced in March, under which 3Com said it would sharpen its focus on home-networking, high-speed modems, wireless and Internet telephony and networking for small- and medium-sized businesses. Benhamou will remain chairman. 3Com shares rose $1 to close at $18 on Nasdaq.