Super Micro Computer has named former Western Digital executive Mark Long as its new chief financial officer, effective immediately, following the departure of David Weigand. The decision stems from an advisory committee recommendation made last year to address identified weaknesses in internal processes. This shift arrives as the AI server manufacturer faces mounting legal and compliance pressures.
Legal troubles deepened in May when Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang criticized Super Micro’s export controls during a public address, calling for stronger oversight after Taiwanese authorities detained individuals allegedly tied to fraudulent AI server shipments. The company acknowledged the incidents exposed broader supply chain vulnerabilities requiring industry-wide solutions. Earlier in March, a U.S. indictment accused co-founder Yih-Shyan “Wally” Liaw and others of diverting billions in AI servers with advanced chips to China, though Super Micro itself was not charged. The firm launched its own investigation in April, but accounting experts have since faulted its slow response to long-standing financial control failures.
Long, 59, joins Super Micro with a strong background in finance and corporate strategy. He previously led Prime Impact Capital as a principal since 2019 and served as co-CEO and CFO of Prime Impact Acquisition I, a SPAC, from 2020 to 2023. Before that, he held the CFO role at Western Digital from 2016 to 2019 and served as chief strategy officer there from 2015 to 2019. His credentials include a Juris Doctor and an MBA from the University of Michigan.
Founder and CEO Charles Liang praised Long’s appointment, stating in a press release that “I’m confident Mark will have an immediate positive impact in strengthening and accelerating our operational and financial execution as we continue to scale our business to capture the next wave of AI and IT infrastructure growth,” Liang said.
Long’s compensation package reflects the company’s investment in stabilizing its financial leadership. According to an SEC filing, he will receive an annual base salary of $725,000, a guaranteed cash bonus of $500,000, and an additional performance-based bonus ranging from $225,000 to $725,000. The offer also includes a $500,000 sign-on bonus.
Leadership Transition Follows Advisory Committee Recommendation
The AI server maker replaced CFO David Weigand with Mark Long, nearly two years after an advisory committee recommended Weigand’s ouster. The company followed the 2024 advice from an independent special committee to address identified lapses in certain processes. Weigand had served as finance chief since 2021, according to his LinkedIn profile.
