Microsoft promotes server chief to president

 

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By Barry Collins and Reuters

Posted on 6 Jan 2009 at 11:51

Microsoft has promoted long-time executive Bob Muglia to president of the company's server and tools business.

Muglia's new title makes him one of only four divisional presidents at Microsoft. It is a recognition of his contribution to the company's growth, Chief Executive Steve Ballmer wrote in a memo to employees.

"The core of our success at Microsoft has always been great people - people who combine talent, drive, vision, customer focus, and leadership," Ballmer's email reads. "Few people at Microsoft embody these qualities more fully than Bob Muglia, and few people have contributed more to the company's success."

As senior vice president, Muglia helped build Microsoft's server and tools business from "virtually nothing a decade ago" to worth more than $13 billion last year, Ballmer claims.

The server and tools business, which makes it money mostly from Windows Server operating systems and related services, now accounts for a fifth of Microsoft's total revenue.

Muglia presented much of the company's vision for its new Azure cloud operating system at the company's Professional Developer Conference in October, and is now regarded as something of a rising star within the new-look Microsoft.

Muglia has been at Microsoft for 21 years. As president, his responsibilities will remain the same.