REDMOND, Washington (AP) -- Microsoft Corp. Chairman Bill Gates said Thursday he will transition out of a day-to-day role at the company he co-founded to spend more time on global health and education work at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
The company announced a two-year transition to ensure that there is a smooth transfer of Gates' daily responsibilities, and said that after July 2008 Gates would continue to serve as the company's chairman and an adviser on key development projects.
"This was a hard decision for me," Gates said in a statement. "I'm very lucky to have two passions that I feel are so important and so challenging. As I prepare for this change, I firmly believe the road ahead for Microsoft is as bright as ever."
Chief Technical Officer Ray Ozzie will immediately assume the title of chief software architect and begin working with Gates on all technical and product oversight responsibilities, Microsoft said.
Similarly, Chief Technical Officer Craig Mundie will immediately take the new title of chief research and strategy officer and will work with Gates on the company's research and incubation efforts.
Mundie also will partner with general counsel Brad Smith to guide Microsoft's intellectual property and technology policy efforts, Microsoft said.
Hmmm... Interesting. I've just started training in life insurance administration, and we were discussing some business insurance options that the company provides in its policies. We mentioned Bill Gates in regards to business life insurance policies, referring to how much devastation it would cause Microsoft if Bill Gates died unexpectedly, because it would be difficult to quickly transition from Gates to another CEO without the company being subject to some level of unforseen financial turmoil. That was just yesterday. And now this. Interesting coincidence... But good for him. He's seen ENOUGH success in Microsoft. Time for some change.
He has more money than anyone could ever spend. I think he should retire and enjoy the good life. Though it looks like he will still run that charity foundation.
06-15-2006 09:41 PM
