Windows President Leaves Microsoft
Just weeks after the unveiling of Microsoft's latest innovation -- Windows 8 -- the company announced Monday that after 23 years of working in his position, Steven Sinofsky will be stepping down as president.
Tami Reller, who is the current chief marketing officer and chief financial officer, is set to take over the Windows business, while Julie Larson-Green will be responsible for its software and hardware development.
Although the company has not disclosed why the decision was made, Chief Executive Officer Steve Ballmer calls it "a new era at Microsoft."
"It is imperative that we continue to drive alignment across all Microsoft teams," he said, according to an Associated Press report.
This sudden change in leadership comes at a crucial moment for Microsoft, when competition with other leading technological innovators -- especially in the mobile technology market and tablet computer market -- has made Windows 8 a vital component of the company's future.
One industry expert suggests that if Windows does not prove successful, the company might even see further leadership changes.
"This is going to be his defining moment," technology analyst Patrick Moorhead told the Associated Press, weeks before the announcement of Sinofky's leave. "[Steve Ballmer's] legacy will be looked at as what he did or didn't do with Windows 8. If Windows 8 is not a success, a lot of people will be looking for Microsoft to make a change at the CEO level."
