Over the weekend, SEC filings made by Sonos suggested that Panos Panay, known for leading the Surface team - and more recently, Windows - at Microsoft, would be joining its board of directors. While neither Sonos nor Panay had confirmed the information at the time, Sonos officially announced today (via Thurrott.com) that Panos Panay is indeed joining the board of directors at the company, which specializes in smart speakers and soundbars.
The announcement itself refers to Panos Panay as chief product officer at Microsoft, indicating that he won"t be leaving the company to join Sonos. That"s not really a surprise, since it"s not uncommon for employees of one company to be on a different company"s Board, but it"s confirmation for those that needed it.
Mike Volpi, chairman of Sonos" Board of Directors, commented on Panay joining the team, saying:
“Panos brings extensive experience in building powerful and engaging consumer hardware products and experiences that customers love, at a global scale. He understands how hardware and software work together to deliver products that are easy to use, and deliver a fantastic experience. His track record, along with his passion for Sonos, will make him an impactful contributor to the company’s ongoing success.”
Sonos has recently appointed a few new members of the Board, including Deirdre Findlay, Conde Nast, and Joanna Coles, all of which were appointed back in February.