Symantec Shares Shrug Off CEO Transition

Instead, the Symantec CEO reiterated his desire to spend more time with his family when he leaves his current role.

"This is about my retirement, it's about me moving to the next stage of my life," he said. "I am damn happy that Barack Obama has been elected president, and I would do what I can to support him, but that is not what this [announcement] is about."

Thompson nonetheless has strong links with Washington, and, at 59, has plenty of time to pursue new opportunities. In 2002, for example, president Bush appointed him to the National Infrastructure Advisory Committee to make recommendations regarding the security of critical U.S. infrastructure. The executive has also served as chair of the Silicon Valley Blue Ribbon Task Force on Aviation Security and Technology.