Together, we will work hard to restore Intel’s position as a world-class products company, establish ourselves as a world-class foundry and delight our customers like never before,” Tan said in a letter to Intel employees on Wednesday.

Lip-Bu Tan may be one of the most powerful technology executives you've never heard of. As he steps into one of the highest-profile jobs on the planet, CEO of troubled, storied chipmaker Intel, his performance will be on full display.

Intel (NASDAQ: INTC) has appointed Lip-Bu Tan as its new CEO, effective March 18, with a $1 million annual salary and up to $2 million in potential cash bonuses, according to a regulatory filing on Friday.