Nvidia Chief Financial Officer Resigns Unexpectedly

Nvidia said that Karen Burns will replace White as Nvidia's CFO on an interim Basis. Burns currently serves as Nvidia's corporate controller and vice president of tax. She previously served as head of Nvidia's tax department for 10 years, Nvidia said. Before that she spent nine years with public accounting firm KPMG.

White will remain on board in order to help with the transition, Nvidia said. From June to August 31, he will serve as a consultant reporting directly to CEO Jen-Hsun Huang.

"I want to thank David for his many contributions to NVIDIA," Nvidia President and CEO Jen-Hsun Huang, said in a statement. "I'm grateful for the counsel and leadership he has provided. Karen is a broadly respected veteran of Nvidia and knows our business well. Her experience, her understanding of our business and her leadership will be a tremendous asset to us during this transition."

An Nvidia spokesperson contacted by CRN declined to comment further.

The news brought share prices for Nvidia stock down 2.6 percent at $17.25 in after-hours trading, after closing down for the day nearly 3 percent at $17.66.