Opera co founder to leave the company

Jon S. von Tezchner, the founder of Opera is leaving the company in June, according to reports released yesterday.

Tezchner released a memo to employees, and technology site TechCrunch managed to get a hold of it.

He said in the memo to Opera employees “It has become clear that The Board, Management and I do not share the same values and we do not have the same opinions on how to keep evolving Opera. As a result I have come to an agreement with the Board to end my time at Opera. I feel the Board and Management is more quarterly focused than me.”

Von Tetzchner was the cofounder of Opera Software way back in 1995 and he had led the company right up to 2010 when he stepped down as CEO. He changed positions to a full time strategic advisor to the business.

Opera is continuing to grow and their business model seems strong, so it seems an unusual time for Von Tetzchner to step down from a leadership position in the company he helped start. It seems there is more to this, than a simple resignation, as his opening line is rather telling.

Dear All,

It is with a heavy heart that I send this message. Next week will be my
last at Opera. It has become clear that The Board, Management and I do not
share the same values and we do not have the same opinions on how to keep
evolving Opera. As a result I have come to an agreement with the Board to
end my time at Opera. I feel the Board and Management is more quarterly
focused than me. I have always worked to build the company for the future.
I believe the foundation we have is very solid to build further upon.

I do believe strongly in Opera as a company, and in all of you working
here. Our products actually make a difference for a lot of people in the
world, and I wish you all the best of luck moving forward. I will be
following the company closely and rooting for you all.

Yours truly,
Jon.

Kitguru says: Will they miss his input? I guess we will find out in the next 24 months.

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