HP Names New Ethics Chief Amid Board Spying Scandal

Hewlett-Packard Co. on Thursday said it had named Jon Hoak chief ethics and compliance officer, a week after the company’s prior ethics officer was charged with four felonies stemming from the company’s investigation into boardroom leaks.

Hoak, 57, will report to Chief Executive Mark Hurd and will oversee HP’s adherence to its standards of business conduct. He had been general counsel for NCR Corp., also Hurd’s former employer, from 1993 to May.

The former chief ethics officer, Kevin Hunsaker, left the Palo Alto firm amid the board leak scandal that has claimed former Chairwoman Patricia Dunn and other HP executives.

Last week, Hunsaker and Dunn surrendered at a Silicon Valley courthouse on felony charges of spying on reporters and company directors amid an investigation into boardroom leaks to the media.

Hurd has since termed the effort a “rogue” investigation.

“Obviously, Mark wanted to make a hire quickly,” HP spokeswoman Emma Wischhusen said. The fact that Hurd and Hoak “had worked together for more than 10 years greatly shortened the hiring process,” she added.

Hurd, in his testimony before Congress late last month about the leak investigation, said he would ensure that the questionable practices used would not happen again.

“Jon brings a wealth of experience to HP, both as an attorney and a business leader,” Hurd said. “HP has traditionally led the industry in adherence to standards of ethics, privacy and corporate responsibility, and with Jon’s guidance, we will lead again.”