Business & Economy

Red Hat Celebrates Opening Of New Raleigh Offices

WUNC | By Gurnal Scott

Published June 24, 2013 at 4:37 PM EDT

Governor Pat McCrory joined officials with software maker Red Hat to cut the ribbon on the company's new downtown Raleigh headquarters today. Company leaders announced a plan two years ago to move from offices on NC State's Centennial Campus to a capital city high rise.

Nine hundred of Red Hat's 5,700 employees worldwide are based in Raleigh. CEO Jim Whitehurst says it was important that his company stay in North Carolina's capital.

"This city offers a tremendous amount for our people both located here and when we look around the world to attract the best and the brightest," Whitehurst says. "From an innovative business culture, to strong schools, a vibrant non-profit sector to great recreational opportunities -- Raleigh is a great place to call home."

Red Hat began in Durham as an open-source software manufacturer allowing the general public access to its innovations. Last week the company celebrated its 20th year in business.

Tags

Gurnal Scott

Gurnal Scott joined North Carolina Public Radio in March 2012 after several stops in radio and television. After graduating from the College of Charleston in his South Carolina hometown, he began his career in radio there. He started as a sports reporter at News/Talk Radio WTMA and won five Sportscaster of the Year awards. In 1997, Gurnal moved on to television as general assignment reporter and weekend anchor for WCSC-TV in Charleston. He anchored the market's top-rated weekend newscasts until leaving Charleston for Memphis, TN in 2002. Gurnal worked at WPTY-TV for two years before returning to his roots in radio. He joined the staff of Memphis' NewsRadio 600 WREC in 2004 eventually rising to News Director. In 2006, Raleigh news radio station WPTF came calling and he became the station's chief correspondent. Gurnal’s reporting has been honored by the South Carolina Broadcasters Association, the North Carolina Associated Press, and the Radio Television Digital News Association of the Carolinas.

See stories by Gurnal Scott