Change was “in” at RTP area firms last week, with three firms getting new chief executive officers.

And in all three cases, companies turned to managers already recruited and on their staffs to take over the top spots.

Bill Warner stepped down at LiveWire Logic to start his own consulting firm. He’ll be replaced by Mike Lough, whom Warner recruited six months ago to run sales and marketing.

Thomas McPherson resigned as CEO at Hatteras Networks and was recplaced by Peter Savage, whom McPherson had recruited as vice president of sales in 2001.

Robert Davis III, who took over as the acting chief executive officer at Oculan in December, was named the firm’s permanent CEO.

The week also included some major venture action.

NewSouth Networks brought in $62.5 million for its telecommunications network. It’s by far the biggest deal in the Carolinas and Georgia in the past 15 months.

Venetica Software in Charlotte landed $7 million. And LiveWire closed on $1.5 million just before Warner stepped down.

On other fronts, the NC Biotechnology Center announced the opening of its first regional office, which will be placed in the Triad.

EXECUTIVE SUITE:

LiveWire Logic CEO Steps Down To Launch Consulting Firm: www.localtechwire.com/article.cfm?u=3464

Hatteras Networks Names Former Head of Applied Digital Access as New CEO: www.localtechwire.com/article.cfm?u=3500

With New CEO in Place, Oculan Looks for Strong Growth in 2003: www.localtechwire.com/article.cfm?u=3487

Optimism Returns to Some Executive Suites; Is the Turnaround at Hand? www.localtechwire.com/article.cfm?u=3456

GUEST OPINIONS:

Why the ‘Guest Opinion’? We Are Looking for Other Voices: www.localtechwire.com/article.cfm?u=3481

Tie That Binds: Employees, Employers Rowing Side by Side: www.localtechwire.com/article.cfm?u=3497

‘What Do I Do Now?’ Where To Find Pillars of Success in Today’s Economy: www.localtechwire.com/article.cfm?u=3488

After the ‘Dotcom,’ Tech Business in Southeast Gets a Heartbeat Again: www.localtechwire.com/article.cfm?u=3474

A Question for CEOs and CEO Hopefuls: Why Should Anyone Be Led By You?: www.localtechwire.com/article.cfm?u=3463

Life Plus 70: The Congressional Prerogative To Lock Up Copyrighted Materials From the Public Domain: www.localtechwire.com/article.cfm?u=3447

BIOWATCH:

NC Biotechnology Center Agrees To Open Office in Triad: www.localtechwire.com/article.cfm?u=3480

Paradigm, Inspire Move Forward on Discovery, Drug Fronts: www.localtechwire.com/article.cfm?u=3496

PharmaNetics Closes 2002 With a Loss But Is Poised for Growth This Year: www.localtechwire.com/article.cfm?u=3442

SciQuest To Pursue Reverse Stock Split Up to 1-10 Ratio: www.localtechwire.com/article.cfm?u=3450

VENTURE WATCH:

A Telecom Whopper Deal: NewSouth Raises $62.5 Million: www.localtechwire.com/article.cfm?u=3489

Already Profitable, Venetica Lands $7 Million ‘A” Round To Position for Future Growth:www.localtechwire.com/article.cfm?u=3466

Go West, Entrepreneurs? Jim Roberts Is Stirring Up Action in the Mountains: www.localtechwire.com/article.cfm?u=3467

What’s Up With SE Interactive’s 4th Fund? Depends on Who’s Talking: www.localtechwire.com/article.cfm?u=3454

OTHER NEWS:

At HireNetworks, Business Boomed in 2002; CEO Expects More Growth This Year: www.localtechwire.com/article.cfm?u=3490

Quaero, a CRM Firm, Wins ‘Diamond-in-the-Rough Award’ from Charlotte ITC: www.localtechwire.com/article.cfm?u=3465

Looking for a Bright Spot in Telco? Try IP Provisioning: www.localtechwire.com/article.cfm?u=3462

Redundant Networks Opens New Hosting Facility in Raleigh: www.localtechwire.com/article.cfm?u=3498