NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang Resigns Amid Relationship Scandal with Alleged Chinese Spy

Jensen Huang has resigned as president and chief executive officer (CEO) of NVIDIA, after 33 years at the helm of the technology company.

The development comes amid a probe into his affair with a Chinese spy.

NVIDIA announced the resignation in a statement on Thursday, saying its board of directors had appointed Colette Kress, the company’s executive vice-president and chief financial officer (CFO), as interim CEO.

“Kress will continue to serve as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer while serving as Interim Chief Executive Officer until a permanent successor has been named,” the statement reads.

“The Board is initiating a search for a permanent Chief Executive Officer and will consider internal and external candidates.”

NVIDIA said Kress spent nearly 25 years in finance roles at technology companies, including Cisco and Microsoft, before joining the company.

In her remarks, Kress said she was committed to building on the foundation Huang created during his 33 years at the company.

“NVIDIA’s strength has always come from its people, and together with our leadership team, I am committed to building on the extraordinary foundation Jensen created over the last 33 years,” she said.

The company also announced the appointment of Harvey C. Jones as its first-ever board chair.

Jones said Kress had helped lead NVIDIA through a period of extraordinary growth.

“Colette has helped lead NVIDIA through a period of extraordinary growth and has a deep understanding of our business, customers, operations and financial position,” he said.

“She is supported by an experienced leadership team that has been instrumental in executing NVIDIA’s strategy and advancing its technology roadmap.”

He said the Board has full confidence in Colette and the leadership team, expects the company’s operations, customer commitments and product roadmap to continue without interruption.

The resignation comes days after NVIDIA had launched an independent investigation into whether Huang was targeted by a Chinese intelligence operation, following a New York Times report about his relationship with a suspected Chinese spy.