Mark Hurd
Mark Hurd (1957—2019)
This site is dedicated to preserving Mark Hurd’s memory and will serve as a repository for information regarding Mark Hurd’s life and his legacy.
Mark Hurd was the chief executive officer (CEO) of Oracle Corporation and a member of Oracle’s board of directors. After serving as chairman, CEO, and president at Hewlett-Packard for five years, Mark Hurd joined Oracle as president in 2010. Four years later, he was named CEO of Oracle Corporation. Throughout Mark Hurd’s tenure at Oracle, the company invested heavily in cloud computing, both through research and development (R&D) and acquisitions. He also played an instrumental role in helping Oracle make their own transition to the cloud. Oracle’s executive chairman of the board and chief technology officer, Larry Ellison, referred to Mark as “a brilliant and beloved leader who personally touched the lives of so many of us during his decade at Oracle.”
During his professional career, Mark Hurd’s leadership and strategic focus were regularly noted in publications such as Fortune, Forbes, the Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, and Barron’s.
Mark Hurd attended Baylor University on a tennis scholarship, where he received a bachelor’s degree in business administration. After graduating, he remained active in university initiatives and even served as vice chair of Baylor University’s Board of Regents and on Baylor’s Executive Committee. As a result of his lifelong passion for tennis, he played an important part in establishing Oracle’s partnership with the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) and leading the organization’s support of young tennis professionals.
Career
Mark Hurd began his career at NCR Corporation in sales. Recognized for his business acumen, he held several roles throughout the organization before being named chief executive officer (CEO) in 2003. NCR’s stock price increased nearly 300 percent during Mark Hurd’s tenure at the company.
In 2005, Mark Hurd joined Hewlett-Packard (HP), where he worked to restore profitability and boost growth. During his tenure as CEO, president, and chairman of the board, HP grew revenue more than 40 percent, doubling earnings per share with 22 consecutive quarters of growth, while also joining the ranks of Fortune’s World’s Most Admired Companies in 2009.
In 2010, Mark Hurd joined Oracle as president and was named CEO in 2014. During his tenure at Oracle, he helped drive the company’s transition to the cloud. With a focus on Oracle’s cloud platform, Mark Hurd helped the company to leverage their leading software-as-a-service (SaaS) business to capture market share from large, medium, and small competitors.
Philanthropy
Mark Hurd continues to be involved with his alma mater, Baylor University, where he earned his B.A. in business administration. He assisted in the renovation of the campus tennis complex, which was named the Hurd Tennis Center in recognition of his contributions and continued involvement with the University. In the fall of 2018, Baylor University announced a lead gift from Mark and Paula Hurd that will fund the Mark & Paula Hurd Welcome Center. He also sits on the Baylor University Board of Regents. Oracle executive chairman and chief technology officer Larry Ellison and Hurd share a love for tennis that extends to the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA). With Hurd’s support, Oracle partnered with the ITA to create the Oracle US Tennis Awards, a grant bestowed on young tennis professionals. Oracle has also sponsored the Oracle/ITA Masters tournament, as well as the Oracle Collegiate Tennis Challenge.
Honors and Awards
Mark Hurd has been recognized for his leadership in the industry. The San Francisco Chronicle named him CEO of the Year in 2008. He was also included in Fortune’s Most Powerful People in Business in 2007 and Business 2.0’s 50 People Who Matter list of 2006. Hurd’s philanthropic work has been recognized as well, earning him the Baylor Meritorious Achievement Award in 2012 and the 2012–2013 Baylor Legacy Award.
Books
In 2004, Mark Hurd co-authored The Value Factor with former mentor and writing partner Lars Nyberg. Providing an inside look at the value of information to today’s companies and the global workforce, the book has been well-received by the business community and holds a five-star rating on Amazon.
