June 27, 2008
Big Gates Logs Out after 33 Years

Microsoft chairman Bill Gates decides to step down from his official chair at the $51 billion software juggernaut. CEO Steve Ballmer, supported by chief technical officers Ray Ozzie and Craig Mundie, will call the shots.

It’s the farewell time for Microsoft boss Bill Gates who has decided to quit the company that he co-founded with his childhood friend Paul Allen in 1975. Gates will now spend more time in altruistic work at Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation that focus on global health and education activities.

Though Gates will retain his title as Microsoft chairman and advisor, he’ll relinquish his day-to-day responsibilities, which will now be handled mainly by CEO Steve Ballmer and chief technical officers Ray Ozzie and Craig Mundie. The transition process had started in 2006.

June 15, 2006, Redmond, Wash: (L-R) Bill Gates, Craig Mundie, Ray Ozzie, and Steve Ballmer
 before announcing plans for Gates to transition out of a day-to-day role
 in Microsoft over the next two years.

“Our business and technical leadership has never been stronger, and Microsoft is well-positioned for success in the years ahead. I feel very fortunate to have such great technical leaders like Ray and Craig at the company,” Gates had said two years ago. “I remain fully committed and full time at Microsoft through June 2008 and will be working side by side with Ray and Craig to ensure that a smooth transition occurs.”

Ballmer and Gates noted that Microsoft has been steadily expanding its senior leadership in recent years, and that announcement on Gates’ exit is part of a transition process that has been underway for several years.

In January 2000, Gates assumed the role of chief software architect and Ballmer became CEO, responsible for all day-to-day operations and company business strategy.

Now, Gates will spend just one day a week at the company.

Photo courtesy: Microsoft