Stephan A. James, who joined Andersen Consulting in 1968, has been named the firm's first COO. He assumed the newly created position in July, the firm said.

"We have embarked on a bold new strategy for the firm to become a network of businesses that integrates our capabilties, investments and alliances to create value for our clients and stakeholders," said Joe W. Forehand, the firm's managing partner and chief executive. "To make this strategy a reality, it was necessary to implement new organizational changes."

In his new role, James will be responsible for implementing key elements of the firm's new strategy, and will work other firm leaders to assess business results and support client teams, said Andersen Consulting. He will also lead the firm's cross-market operations functions and will handle cost performance as well as Global Markets Operations, which emcompasses finance, human resources and marketing and communications as well as firmwide strategic initiatives.

James most recently handled the firm's activities in energy and natural resources, chemicals and utlities industries which accounted for 18 percent of the firm's $8.9 billion in revenue in 1999, the firm said. He was also responsible for the Global Markets Operations.

In August, Colombian arbitrator Guillermo Gamba issued a ruling, splitting up Andersen Consulting and Arthur Andersen. Under the ruling, Andersen Consulting must give up the Andersen name and pay about $1 billion to the partners at Arthur Andersen. That money, which consists of regularly scheduled payments between the firms, has been held in escrow since the arbitration began in December 1997. On Jan. 1, 2001, the firm will enter the next century with its new name.

-- Antoinette Alexander

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