HP Names Robin Abrams CEO of VeriFone

Hewlett-Packard Co. named Robin Abrams president and chief executive of VeriFone, the HP subsidiary that makes point-of-sale computers for validating credit- and debit-card purchases. Abrams, formerly head of Apple Computer’s Americas division, replaces Hatim Tyabji, who has been chairman, president and CEO of VeriFone for 12 years. Abrams joined VeriFone in March 1997, a few weeks before HP agreed to acquire the company for $1.29 billion. The computer industry giant bought VeriFone to help customers do business on the Internet, authenticating transactions and buying and selling products and services. Abrams said her mission is to help VeriFone leverage its expertise in the hardware business into success on the software side. Shares of Palo Alto-based HP fell 69 cents to close at $61.88 on the NYSE.