Microvision snagged a seasoned technology executive from IBM to fill an opening on its board today, announcing new director Jeanette Horan, who heads IBM's Silicon Valley Laboratory and is vice president of Worldwide Information Managment Development.

Horan, a U.K. native, has been at IBM since 1998. Before that she helped develop and market the AltaVista Web search engine at Digital Equipment Corp.

Microvision, which has struggled bring its technology to market and keep afloat financially, has been changing the makeup of its board in an attempt to turn the company around. On April 10, the company was warned it was not in compliance with the Nasdaq rule requiring it to have a majority of independent directors. Horan's appointment could be helpful on both fronts.