Hewlett-Packard Company (HPQ)’s Board of Directors Gets Some New Blood

Hewlett-Packard Company (NYSE:HPQ) took one much-needed step in the right direction today. HP’s boardroom just gained three new regulars, and it’s a high-quality infusion of new blood.

HP’s board of directors is often held up as an example of terrible corporate governance. In 2011, ethics and governance expert Nell Minow wondered, “Could there be a worse board?” The company added one director the next month: activist fund manager Ralph Whitworth. Four directors left the board in 2012, including the entire nominating committee that made Leo Apotheker CEO. Otherwise, this group of error-prone directors has remained static since Ms. Minow hung them out to dry.

But today, Hewlett-Packard Company (NYSE:HPQ) finally added some fresh talent to the boardroom. They’re not just some no-name fund-managers and also-rans, either; these are three proven winners who may in fact shake up HP’s rudderless operations.

Meet the new faces
These names should be familiar to many investors, but let’s do a quick rundown of their qualifications anyhow.

Ray Ozzie is a legend of software development. He launched Lotus Notes long before IBM acquired that productivity toolkit and made it central to Big Blue’s software strategy. At Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT), he championed cloud computing and social media before it was cool. Ozzie took over the role of chief software architect when Bill Gates retired, leaving day-to-day CEO-type operations to Steve Ballmer.

With Ozzie in the boardroom, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him nudging the company deeper into software and services, much like Apotheker once did. The big difference this time is that Ozzie comes with much stronger credentials: Apotheker ran a not-particularly-strong operation at SAP; Ozzie, the world’s largest software machine. Hewlett-Packard Company (NYSE:HPQ) CEO Meg Whitman could use someone with a clear vision who isn’t afraid to correct the boss when necessary.

Robert “Dob” Bennett was CEO of Liberty Interactive (Interactive group) (NASDAQ:LINTA) from 1997 to 2005. He steered the Internet-leaning company through the dot-com bust and came out stronger. Under Bennett’s leadership, Liberty Interactive grew annual sales from $1.2 billion to $7.6 billion. He’s been known to stand up to Liberty chairman John Malone on occasion, and he still serves as a board member or executive in several of Liberty Interactive (Interactive group) (NASDAQ:LINTA)’s offshoots.

So here’s another software and services expert with some experience in pushing back against corporate bigwigs. Put this character together with Ray Ozzie, and I smell sparks flying in the boardroom.

Jim Skinner is the least controversial, but perhaps the most impressive, of Hewlett-Packard Company (NYSE:HPQ)’s new board members.

Skinner spent 41 years at McDonald’s Corporation (NYSE:MCD), including eight years as CEO. Average shareholder returns under his guidance were an eye-popping 21%, thanks to his focus on “being better, not just bigger.” Hewlett-Packard Company (NYSE:HPQ) could sure use a generous dose of that mind-set.