Super Micro Finally Names a CFO, Nearly Two Years After an Accounting Review Prompted the Search

Super Micro Computer Inc. (NASDAQ:SMCI) is reshaping its finance leadership while navigating lingering accounting and governance scrutiny, even as strong AI data-center spending continues to support demand for its servers. The stock slid almost 10% on Friday. Super Micro Names Mark Long CFO Super Micro appointed former Western Digital Corp. (NASDAQ:WDC) executive Mark Long as chief financial officer, effective immediately, nearly two years after beginning its search for a new finance chief. Long replaces David Weigand, who had served as CFO since early 2021. Super Micro told Reuters on Thursday that Weigand will shift his focus toward helping "optimize and accelerate" the business but did not specify his new role. Long previously served as Western Digital’s CFO and oversaw corporate strategy. He also co-founded technology-focused investment firm Prime Impact Capital and will report directly to CEO Charles Liang. Accounting Scrutiny Prompted Leadership Search Super Micro began searching for a new CFO in December 2024 following recommendations from an independent review of its accounting practices. The review followed concerns raised by the company’s former auditor over governance, transparency and internal controls surrounding financial reporting. Super Micro also faced scrutiny after short-seller Hindenburg Research alleged "accounting manipulation," including undisclosed related-party transactions and export-control failures. The controversy contributed to a delay in the company’s annual financial filing. Export-Control Case Adds Another Challenge The company has also faced legal and governance issues tied to U.S. export controls. Most recently, Super Micro contractor Ting-Wei "Willy" Sun pleaded guilty to four counts, including conspiracy to violate U.S. export restrictions, in a scheme involving the illegal shipment of servers containing advanced NVIDIA Corp. (NASDAQ:NVDA) AI chips to China. AI Demand Supports Growth Outlook At the Goldman Sachs Communacopia + Technology Conference, Senior Vice President of Corporate Development Michael Staiger described demand as "pretty excellent" and said the company’s roughly $60 billion order book supports its fiscal 2027 revenue outlook of $65 billion to $72 billion. Staiger also said AI adoption is developing into a multiyear cycle, with demand broadening across neocloud, enterprise and sovereign customers. He pointed to a potential $2 trillion to $4 trillion AI infrastructure market and said "the sky’s the limit" for Super Micro over the next few years. The company is also expanding manufacturing capacity and pushing deeper into complete AI infrastructure systems, including servers, cooling, power, storage, networking and software, which management believes can support double-digit gross margins. SMCI Stock Price Activity: Super Micro Computer shares are trading lower by 9.53% at $31.75 at the time of publication on Friday, according to Benzinga Pro data. Photo: Shutterstock Read Also: Seagate, Western Digital Face Supply Risks as AI Demand Drives Capacity Expansion