Ronald L. Kilpatrick is general manager of IBM's Storage Systems Division (SSD), responsible for leading all aspects of IBM's storage business worldwide, including development, sales, marketing, finance and manufacturing. Mr. Kilpatrick assumed this position in September 1998.

Previously, Mr. Kilpatrick served as vice president, worldwide marketing and sales for SSD and Networking Hardware Division (NHD). He was named to the SSD position in September 1995 and added the NHD responsibilities in September 1997. Prior to that, Mr. Kilpatrick was vice president, worldwide marketing and sales at the IBM Printing Systems Company. In that position, which he assumed in January 1992, he was responsible for product requirements, marketing and sales of all IBM Printing Systems Company products.

Mr. Kilpatrick began his IBM career in 1965 as a Data Processing Division marking representative in Youngstown, Ohio, and has held a number of executive marketing and management positions since then.

He is actively involved in the community and has served on the Board of Directors for the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce, the Industry Education Council of California, and the Los Angeles Urban League. Mr. Kilpatrick has also been extensively involved with the United Way, Inc. as a member of its Board of Directors and as senior executive leading SSD's worldwide fundraising activities.

Mr. Kilpatrick earned a bachelor's degree in math and economics from Hiram College in Ohio and a master of science degree in industrial administration from Purdue University.