Tag Archives: CEO

Microsoft names new CEO Satya Nadella

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Bill Gates. Steve Ballmer. Satya Nadella. On February 4 Microsoft appointed its third CEO in its 40+ year history. Under Ballmer’s management, Microsoft couldn’t compete with the likes of Apple and Google on the mobile front (Windows Phone is in a distant third place in terms of adoption rate behind Android and iOS) and Windows 8 could not surge the waning sales of PCs. Additionally, Microsoft’s tablet entry the Surface didn’t make waves when it hit the market; Apple’s iPad and the many Android powered slates continue to dominate the field. So this past summer the enthusiastic Ballmer announced his retirement from the company after 33 years and over a five-month period Microsoft vetted various industry players to take over the coveted top position and in the end Mr. Nadella was named company Chief Executive Officer.

Nadella is no stranger to Microsoft; in fact he’s been with the company since 1992. As Executive Vice President of Microsoft’s Cloud and Enterprise group he oversaw the company’s move to the cloud and the development of massive cloud infrastructures supporting Bing, Xbox, Office and other services. Nadella, 46, was born in Hyderabad, India; like Bill Gates he has a background in computer science, and like Ballmer he also has a business background.

“During this time of transformation, there is no better person to lead Microsoft than Satya Nadella,” said Gates in a press statement. “Satya is a proven leader with hard-core engineering skills, business vision and the ability to bring people together. His vision for how technology will be used and experienced around the world is exactly what Microsoft needs as the company enters its next chapter of expanded product innovation and growth.”

“Microsoft is one of those rare companies to have truly revolutionized the world through technology, and I couldn’t be more honored to have been chosen to lead the company,” Nadella said. “The opportunity ahead for Microsoft is vast, but to seize it, we must focus clearly, move faster and continue to transform. A big part of my job is to accelerate our ability to bring innovative products to our customers more quickly.”

In addition to naming Nadella CEO, Microsoft also announced that Bill Gates, previously Chairman of the Board of Directors, will assume “a new role on the Board as Founder and Technology Advisor, and will devote more time to the company, supporting Nadella in shaping technology and product direction.”

Jump after the break to watch Gates welcome Nadella as the new CEO and get to know Nadella in a brief interview clip. Click here to learn more about MSFT’s new CEO.

[Via Microsoft] Continue reading Microsoft names new CEO Satya Nadella →

Eric Schmidt leaves Google CEO post, Larry Page steps in

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On Thursday Eric Schmidt announced that he will be leaving his post as Google CEO come April 4 and Google co-founder Larry Page will fill the role.  From that day on, Page will “lead product development and technology strategy” and “take charge of [Google] day-to-day operations,” while Schmidt will stay with the company as Executive Chairman.  In a blog post Schmidt says, “I will focus wherever I can add the greatest value: externally, on the deals, partnerships, customers and broader business relationships, government outreach and technology thought leadership that are increasingly important given Google’s global reach; and internally as an advisor to Larry and Sergey.” He hands the reigns to Page under amicable conditions.  “In this new role I know [Page] will merge Google’s technology and business vision brilliantly,” he said. “I am enormously proud of my last decade as CEO, and I am certain that the next 10 years under Larry will be even better! Larry, in my clear opinion, is ready to lead.”  And what of the other co-founder, Sergey Brin?  He “has decided to devote his time and energy to strategic projects, in particular working on new products.”  Schmidt adds, “He’s an innovator and entrepreneur to the core, and this role suits him perfectly.”  And he concludes, “Larry, Sergey and I have worked exceptionally closely together for over a decade—and we anticipate working together for a long time to come.”

This is certainly a big shakeup for one of the world’s most dominant companies.  Whether or not this transitional shift of control affects Google’s products and services…time will tell.

[Via GoogleBlog]