REDMOND, Wash. - Microsoft Corp. Chairman
Bill Gates said Thursday he will transition from day-to-day responsibilities at the company to concentrate on the charitable work of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Gates will continue as the company’s chairman after transferring his duties over a two-year period…
Microsoft’s Chief Technical Officer Ray Ozzie will immediately assume Gate’s title as chief software architect and begin working with Gates on overseeing all software technical design.
Chief Technical Officer Craig Mundie will immediately take the new title of chief research and strategy officer and will work with Gates in those areas. Mundie also will partner with general counsel Brad Smith to guide Microsoft’s intellectual property and technology policy efforts.
In January 2000, Gates assumed the role of chief software architect and Steve Ballmer took over the role of chief executive officer. Ballmer remains responsible for all day-to-day operations and company’s business strategy.
“Bill and I are confident we’ve got a great team that can step up to fill his shoes and drive Microsoft innovation forward without missing a beat,” Ballmer said.
it’s pretty awesome actually - a founder and executive of maybe th e world’s most powerful company stepping down from his position to help lead a charity. gates gets a lot of flack, but deserves more respect for all of his charitable work.
