Computer security provider CA last week named William McCracken to the post of CEO. McCracken had been the company’s executive chairman and de facto leader since the retirement of John Swainson in September.

Gary Fernandes, the lead independent director at CA, told Information Week that "We had the benefit of watching him lead the company and it became evident to us that Bill McCracken has the knowledge, industry expertise, and experience to take CA to the next level. The Board unanimously decided that Bill was the best choice to sustain the company’s momentum and lead it going forward."

ZDNet reported that McCracken has officially taken the helm during good times for the security firm. CA recently reported revenues of $1.13 billion, and a net profit of $257 million during the fiscal third quarter of 2009, which was 8 percent higher than in the previous year.

McCracken’s previous career included stints at IBM – now a competitor of SAP – IKON, and the Executive Consulting Group. Information Week wrote that McCracken is also part of Yale’s Chairmen’s forum, at the university’s Center for Corporate Governance and Performance.