The long search is over and the Microsoft board eventually selected from within the organization to name only the third person to ever be CEO of Microsoft.
Satya Nadella was previously the Executive Vice President of Microsoft’s Cloud and Enterprise Group. He has been with the company for 22 years and this appointment as CEO and member of the Microsoft board is effective immediately.
His appointment as CEO was not the only big change to happen with today’s announcement as Bill Gates will take on a new role at the company as Founder and Technology Advisor that will have him dedicating more time to the company. He will assist the new CEO in shaping technology and product direction.
John Thompson, a member of the Microsoft board and the individual who led the CEO search efforts, will assume duties as Chairman of the Microsoft board immediately.
Upon the announcement both the new CEO and the outgoing CEO sent emails to the company. Here are excerpts from each:
Satya Nadella:
Today is a very humbling day for me. It reminds me of my very first day at Microsoft, 22 years ago. Like you, I had a choice about where to come to work. I came here because I believed Microsoft was the best company in the world. I saw then how clearly we empower people to do magical things with our creations and ultimately make the world a better place. I knew there was no better company to join if I wanted to make a difference. This is the very same inspiration that continues to drive me today. While we have seen great success, we are hungry to do more. Our industry does not respect tradition — it only respects innovation. This is a critical time for the industry and for Microsoft. Make no mistake, we are headed for greater places — as technology evolves and we evolve with and ahead of it. Our job is to ensure that Microsoft thrives in a mobile and cloud-first world.
Steve Ballmer:
Microsoft is one of the great companies in the world. I love this company. I love the bigness and boldness of what we do. I love the way we partner with other companies to come together to change the world. I love the breadth and the diversity of all of the customers we empower, from students in the classroom to consumers to small businesses to governments to the largest enterprises. Above all, I love the spirit of this place, the passion, and the perseverance, which has been the cornerstone of our culture from the very beginning. Stay focused and keep moving forward. I am excited about what we will do.
Now lets see what happens!
