RJR NABISCO HEAD EMERGES AS FRONT RUNNER FOR IBM JOB

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, March 25, 1993                   TAG: 9303250132
SECTION: BUSINESS                    PAGE: B7   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: NEW YORK                                LENGTH: Short
RJR NABISCO HEAD EMERGES AS FRONT RUNNER FOR IBM JOB
With apparent finalists for the top job at IBM narrowing, speculation is zeroing in on the chairman of a company better known for cookies than computers.
Louis V. Gerstner, chairman of RJR Nabisco Holdings Corp., emerged as the leading pick by handicappers.
Another leading candidate in the secretive search is Perot Systems Inc. Chairman Morton Meyerson.
Apple Chairman John Sculley, Allied Signal's Lawrence Bossidy and Hewlett-Packard's former chief executive, John Young, have said they're not interested in the job.
Citing unidentified officials familiar with IBM's search, The Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday that the company was preparing to name Gerstner to the post as early as next week. But the newspaper reported that its sources warned that the choice and timing could change at the last minute.
IBM directors involved in the search and their outside recruiters did not return telephone calls Wednesday.
Gerstner's selection would show that IBM's directors are more interested in a leader who could orchestrate the company's revamping than lead it in a quest for new products.
When Gerstner joined RJR Nabisco in 1989 following the company's record $25 billion debt-financed takeover by New York investment firm Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co., he wasn't hired for his manufacturing experience.
RJR's new owner wanted someone who could lead the company through a profound restructuring.

by Archana Subramaniam by CNB