Brian Krzanich, an understated, analytical engineer who started his career at an Intel chip factory in New Mexico will now take over as chief executive beginning on May 16 at the annual shareholder meeting, replacing Paul Otellini, who in November unexpectedly announced his plan to retire. Under Otellini, Intel has been sidelined in smartphones and tablets while demand for its PC processors is on the wane.

Now, the man who once prided himself on halving production times will have to act swiftly to move the company into new areas of growth, according to a Reuters report.

To turn around the $53 billion-a-year empire, Krzanich will have to depend on trusted lieutenants, something he shouldn't have a problem doing, say former employees, analysts and industry executives who have worked with him.

Read the full report here