Western Digital (WD) has appointed John F. Coyne as Executive VP, worldwide operations. The high potential markets of the Middle East will be one of his areas of responsibility in his new role.

Coyne has been working with WD for more than 20 years in various senior manufacturing and operations management positions, helping the company establish its leadership position in the hard drive industry in high-volume markets.

For the past few years, Coyne has served as Senior VP, worldwide operations, with responsibility for hard drive manufacturing. Coyne now assumes additional responsibility for business operations, materials and magnetic head operations. He reports to Arif Shakeel, president and COO of WD.