3Com CEO Masri steps down

Edgar Masri is leaving as chief executive of 3Com Corp. and being replaced by Robert Mao in the wake of a failed buyout of the network equipment maker.

The shuffling in 3Com's executive ranks, announced after markets closed Tuesday, leaves Ronald Sege as president and chief operating officer, effective when he arrives at 3Com on Wednesday.

A news release from 3Com did not offer a reason for Masri's departure as CEO.

To support 3Com's emphasis on technology sales in China, Mao will be based in China, rather than at the company's Massachusetts headquarters. Sege, who will be located in the United States, will focus on 3Com operations outside China.

Mao, 64, served as 3Com's executive vice president for corporate development from August 2006 to March 2007.