Intel executive Sean Maloney, 53, the company’s most likely candidate to succeed CEO Paul Otellini, 59, had a stroke late last week and is taking a medical leave that could run for maybe four months. It remains to be seen whether he will take himself out of the running to head the semiconductor giant.

Maloney currently leads Intel’s Architecture Group, its all-important processor operation, with two-in-a-box co-general manager Dadi Perlmutter, who will fill in for him while he’s out.

Perlmutter generally focuses on engineering while Maloney handles the business side, everything from sales and marketing to investments.

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