subject: Chief Executive Officer Of Microsoft Corp [print this page] Steve Ballmer2 is chief executive officer of Microsoft Corp., the world's leading manufacturer of software for personal and business computing. Ballmer joined Microsoft in 1980 and was the first business manager hired by Bill Gates. Since then, Ballmer's passion and leadership have become hallmarks of his tenure at the company. During the past 20 years, Ballmer has headed several Microsoft divisions, in eluding operations, operating systemsDevelopment, and sales and support. In July 1998, he was promoted to president, a role that gave him day-today4 responsibility for running Microsoft. He was named CEO in January 2000, assuming full management responsibility for the company,including delivering on the company's vision of "empowering5 people through great software-any time, any place and on any device."
Ballmer is known inside and outside the company for his devotion to building closer relationships with Microsoft customers and partners-and for ensuring their needs are heard, understood6 and served by every Microsoft employee. The foundation for this relationship-and the success of the company-is the reliable and powerful Windows 2000 platform7, which was designed to support the most demanding enterprise and e-commerce8needs.Ballmer also is presently leading the most comprehensive reinvention of Microsoft in the company's 25 years. Together with Gates and the company's other technical leaders, Ballmer will lead Microsoft's development of a revolutionary Microsoft. NET platform for desktop personal computers, servers, non-PC devices and the Internet. Microsoft's goal is to provide the platform to enable a seamless experience across different computing devices, software services and data sources, putting a unified face on a wide variety of digital interactions.
Although Microsoft will provide some important customer services, the company's success will depend on thousands of new and current partners creating innovative customer solutions on the platform. Ballmer understands that Microsoft mustbe part of a community of partners, each providing a special focus and added value.Described variously as ebullient, focused, funny, passionate, andsincere, hard charging" and dynamic, Ballmer has infused Microsoft with his own brand of energetic discipline and spirit over the years. Ballmer says, "I want everyone to share my passion for our products and services. I want people to understand the amazing, positive way our software can make leisure time more enjoyable and work and businesses more successful. "
Ballmer, born in March 1956, grew up near Detroit, where his father worked as a manager at Ford Motor Co. He graduated from Harvard University with a bachelor's degree in mathematics and economics. While in college, Ballmer managed the football team, worked on the Harvard Crimson newspaper as well as the university literary magazine and roomed down the hall from fellow sophomore Gates. After college, he worked for two years at Procter & Gamble Co. "as an assistant product manager and, before joining Microsoft, attended Stanford University Graduate School of Business. Ballmer jogs daily and loves basketball.
Ballmer, born in March 1956, grew up near Detroit, where his father worked as a manager at Ford Motor Co. He graduated from Harvard University with a bachelor's degree in mathematics and economics. While in college, Ballmer managed the football team, worked on the Harvard Crimson newspaper as well as the university literary magazine and roomed down the hall from fellow sophomore Gates. After college, he worked for two years at Procter & Gamble Co. "as an assistant roduct manager and, before joining Microsoft, attended Stanford University Graduate School of Business. Ballmer jogs daily and loves basketball.
Ballmer, born in March 1956, grew up near Detroit, where his father worked as a manager at Ford Motor Co. He graduated from Harvard University with a bachelor's degree in mathematics and economics. While in college, Ballmer managed the football team, worked on the Harvard Crimson newspaper as well as the university literary magazine and roomed down the hall from fellow sophomore Gates. After college, he worked for two years at Procter & Gamble Co. "as an assistant product manager and, before joining Microsoft, attended Stanford University Graduate School of Business. Ballmer jogs daily and loves basketball.
