One-time IBM channel executive Thomas J. Jarosh, who most recently served as vice president of operations in the IBM Systems and Technology Group, passed away Oct. 17, 2008. He was 55.
Jarosh, a lifelong IBM employee, served as a channel executive for IBM in the 1990s. He was named vice president of channel strategy and management in July 1994 and vice president of global channel marketing in February 1996.
Trained as an electrical engineer with a B.S. from Case Western Reserve University, Jarosh began his lengthy career with IBM in 1975 as a systems engineering trainee in Cleveland, Ohio in the Commercial/Public Sector branch office.
After three years as a system engineer, Jarosh switched over to a marketing role, where he quickly moved up the corporate ladder into management in positions in Detroit, Cleveland and Los Angeles.
Jarosh moved through several other positions over the course of his career at IBM including general manager for the AS/400 (I-Series) and vice president of business development.
Most recently Jarosh was named vice president of the Transformation Project Office in January 2008 and then vice president of operations for the Systems and Technology Group in April 2008.
The Ridgefield, Conn. resident was born in Naperville, Ill. and grew up in Pittsburgh, Pa.
He was one of 10 children and is survived by his mother, three daughters, five grandchildren, eight siblings and many other family members.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Regional Hospice of Western Connecticut, 405 Main St., Danbury, CT, 06810 or the Melanoma Research Foundation, 170 Township Line Rd., Building B, Hillsborough, NJ, 08844 or www.melanoma.org
