Super Micro Computer Appoints New CFO After Two-Year Search

Super Micro Computer, a company with significant ties to prominent tech firms like Nvidia and SpaceX, has finally appointed a new chief financial officer (CFO) nearly two years after vowing to do so following an internal investigation.

The appointment of Mark Long, 59, as the company's new CFO comes at a critical time for Super Micro, which is still reeling from a $2.5 billion smuggling case and the arrest of one of its co-founders. Long has a strong background in finance, having previously served as CFO and chief strategy officer at Western Digital, a data storage company with a valuation of over $130 billion.

In addition to his experience at Western Digital, Long also runs an investment and advisory firm called Prime Impact Capital, which suggests he brings significant industry expertise to the role. Furthermore, he co-founded a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) that raised $300 million before merging with a Beijing-based auto insurance technology platform in 2023.

Long's appointment as CFO is likely intended to help Super Micro regain credibility with investors, many of whom have been skeptical about the company's financial management since the internal investigation and subsequent scandals. With his extensive experience in tech finance and investing, Long may be able to provide much-needed stability to the company's leadership team.

The indictment of Yih-Shyan "Wally" Liaw, co-founder of Supermicro, has shed light on a complex and shocking smuggling case allegedly involving $2.5 billion worth of the company's hardware loaded with Nvidia's export-controlled chips being illegally routed to China.

According to the Department of Justice and FBI, Liaw and two others associated with Supermicro used deceitful tactics to evade detection, including removing sticky labels from servers using hairdryers and creating thousands of dummy servers that mimicked actual Supermicro equipment.

Supermicro has maintained its innocence in this case, stating it is fully cooperating with law enforcement. Liaw has pleaded not guilty to the charges, but his arrest has sparked another internal investigation by the company's board, separate from a previous probe that led to the search for a new chief financial officer.

The latest investigation found no evidence that current senior management members were aware of the alleged smuggling scheme. However, Liaw's involvement in this case raises questions about his past actions and decisions while at Supermicro.

Liaw had previously served on the Supermicro board and had a long history with fellow co-founders Charles Liang and Sara Liu, who are also married and serve together on the company's board.

Before his arrest, Liaw had re-joined the board in December 2023 after previously leaving to work as a consultant for the company from May 2021 onwards.

The investigation into Supermicro's accounting practices led to the abrupt resignation of auditor EY in 2023, prompting a probe into export controls and rehiring of employees who had resigned after an earlier accounting investigation in 2017.

Weigand, CFO and chief compliance officer at the time, was held responsible for process lapses uncovered by the investigation, including a consulting arrangement with the former CFO that EY wasn't informed about. This led to a commitment from Supermicro to replace Weigand with a more experienced CFO by December 2024.

The company's woes deepened when Liaw's arrest in March 2026 triggered a new wave of subpoenas and inquiries. The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York, as well as foreign authorities, the Securities & Exchange Commission, and the Bureau of Industry and Security, all sought information from Supermicro related to Liaw's indictment and the company's compliance program.

The case against Liaw has been ongoing, with his trial initially set for November 2026 before being pushed back to March 2027. His lawyer argued that documents provided by Supermicro could be material to his defense, leading to a delay in proceedings.

A new CFO has been named for Supermicro, bringing fresh leadership to the company amidst ongoing investigations into a major smuggling case.

Sun's court records show that he pleaded guilty to deleting an encrypted messaging app on his phone on March 19, 2026, and is facing up to 20 years in prison for obstruction and conspiracy charges. His sentencing is scheduled for September 2027 and he will also have to forfeit any profits made from the export offenses.

The new CFO's appointment comes as the company continues to grapple with the fallout of a $2.5 billion smuggling case that led to the arrest of one of its co-founders. The board has recently added two new members, including Shesha Krishnapura, Intel's former IT CTO, and Judy Lin, who previously served as vice president at Western Digital from 2007 to September 2012.

As part of his compensation package, Long will receive a base salary of $725,000, plus a signing bonus of $500,000. He is also eligible for additional cash bonuses and an annual equity grant based on company performance and individual achievement. His initial equity grant has been valued at approximately $4.1 million.

Long's appointment as CFO brings some stability to the company after a tumultuous period, but it remains to be seen how he will navigate the complex web of investigations and regulatory scrutiny that Supermicro is currently facing.

Supermicro has finally appointed a new Chief Financial Officer (CFO) after months of uncertainty following a tumultuous period for the company. Charles Liang, the CEO, welcomed the appointment and expressed his gratitude to outgoing CFO Weigand.

The new CFO, Long, is expected to have an immediate positive impact on the company's financial execution, according to Liang. Weigand will remain in place to assist with the transition, but further details about his role during this period are yet to be disclosed by Supermicro. The appointment brings a sense of stability to the company as it navigates ongoing investigations and regulatory scrutiny.