A small data networking start-up has snagged a longtime Hewlett-Packard Co. executive to become its chief executive officer.

Neterion Technologies, a one-year-old data-networking start-up in Cupertino, Calif., has appointed Dave Zabrowski, a 16-year HP veteran, as CEO. An announcement is expected Monday. Mr. Zabrowski has worked in various HP businesses, including servers, semiconductors and personal computers. Most recently, he was a general manager in HP's personal computing group.

Mr. Zabrowski said he "had a desire to go to a start-up" and had been looking at opportunities for the past year. He added that HP is a "great company" but that after its recent acquisition of Compaq Computer Corp., he sensed fewer opportunities at a large company in general.

Neterion was founded last year by former staffers from Nortel Networks Corp. and 3Com Corp. The 40-person company is developing an integrated circuit, or chip, with embedded software that will help maximize the processing power of servers for data centers. Neterion expects to start shipping the chips in the first half of 2003. The company raised $9 million in its first round of funding late last year and is currently raising its second round, which it hopes to close by early 2003.

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