Carly Fiorina, the CEO of HP, has suddenly resigned. There have been criticisms of HP since they decided to merge with Compaq. The most recent criticism is that the firm is lacking a true strategic direction. It appears that she could not come to agreement on this topic with the HP board of directors. The CFO will act as the interim CEO.

This resignation is unfortunate because Fiorina was one of the most powerful women in the corporate world. Her departure greatly reduces the ranks of high profile women leading America's top companies. The stock hasn't done well at all over the past 5 years or so, but it seemed as though the HP-Compaq merger was beginning to provide synergies for the company. Fiorina almost seemed like a celebrity among CEOs. How many Americans know any CEOs beyond Bill Gates (not even a CEO anymore), Carly Fiorina, and Meg Whitman? Not many I would venture to guess.

Fiorina is a staunch Republican so it will be interesting to see if she now pursues a career in politics.