Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer Retiring Within 12 Months

[Shawn Zipay]

Steve Ballmer, the CEO of Microsoft when they released Windows RT tablets, introduced Metro (though it's not nearly as bad as you may like to think), and the man who vowed to "kill Google" is going to step down as CEO within the next 12 months.

“There is never a perfect time for this type of transition, but now is the right time,” Ballmer said. “We have embarked on a new strategy with a new organization and we have an amazing Senior Leadership Team. My original thoughts on timing would have had my retirement happen in the middle of our company’s transformation to a devices and services company. We need a CEO who will be here longer term for this new direction.”

The Board of Directors has appointed a special committee to direct the process. This committee is chaired by John Thompson, the board’s lead independent director, and includes Chairman of the Board Bill Gates, Chairman of the Audit Committee Chuck Noski and Chairman of the Compensation Committee Steve Luczo. The special committee is working with Heidrick & Struggles International Inc., a leading executive recruiting firm, and will consider both external and internal candidates.

Bill Gates is a member of the "succession planning committee" and says he'll be working closely with the other members of the board to pick a "great new CEO" for the company.

If nothing else, his rich legacy will continue to live on in our hearts and minds for quite some time to come.

(via Microsoft)

[Shawn Zipay]

Crap, forgot to include Windows Vista in that list too.

[K-16]

Looks like I'll be waiting a bit before checking Microsoft's stock. I want to see where this is going after the time lag between news release and stock price change passes. There are times where I just don't understand the mindset of shareholders, and want to see if this is great news for them. I suspect it may be if there was ever a vote of non-confidence against Stevel Ballmer (again, from shareholders). There's a part of me holding me back from believing this is a Titanic scenario, and making me suspect that this is a celebration that I willfully ignored.

I don't know to be honest. Wait a week before checking the stock price? Hear out some analysts' thoughts on short-selling the stock? Probably still a long-position though. I really want to think it's a jump-ship scenario, but my view on Microsoft is far too short-sighted to see the real picture of their company's performance. I guess I'll just wait until the lag is over and then check the price and see what smarter people think.

[nemes1s3000]

Their stock will shoot up. Mark my words, it will shoot way up.

[MurderDogg]

I really hated this guy Steve Ballmer to the fiber. I found him to be a sweaty idiot, and ruiner of whatever he touched. He is not retiring, he's getting fired! Whichever, I give him credit for stepping down. I'm so glad I won't have to see his stupid face for much longer. :)

[Shawn Zipay]

I really hated this guy Steve Ballmer to the fiber. I found him to be a sweaty idiot, and ruiner of whatever he touched. He is not retiring, he's getting fired! Whichever, I give him credit for stepping down. I'm so glad I won't have to see his stupid face for much longer. :)

While he did ruin an awful lot at MS, I can't say I hate the guy. Also, I think it's still up in the air if he was fired or pressured to resign, etc. We all know that MS won't say for sure that he was fired if he was.

[K-16]

If I'm understanding nemes1s3000 correctly, it seems that shareholders had quite the vote of non-confidence towards Mr. Ballmer, so that may have made the Board of Directors raise an eyebrow, which led to his resignation. However, I expected a replacement to have already been planned and prepared (behind the scenes), rather than drag Bill Gates back in to help look for one (figured they could simply Skype him and ask "He/She good? Good. We good. Bye.").