Bill Gates will be transitioning out of a day-to-day role in the running of Microsoft by July 2008 to spend more time on his global health and education work with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Microsoft Corp. today announced. The two-year transition period will ensure a smooth and orderly transfer of responsibilities.
The Redmond-based company announced that Gates will continue in his role as Chairman, with Ray Ozzie (currently Chief Technical Officer) taking over the Chief Software Architect post with immediate effect. Craig Mundie, also a Chief Technical officer, will assume the newly-created role of Chief Research and Strategy Officer.
"This was a hard decision for me," Gates said. "I"m very lucky to have two passions that I feel are so important and so challenging. As I prepare for this change, I firmly believe the road ahead for Microsoft is as bright as ever."