BY POPJOURNALISM
STAFF
POSTED JUNE 28, 2006
Microsoft founder Bill Gates will step down from his daily roles by next July. Gates has been running the company for three decades now and plans to spend more time working on health and education at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Taking place immediately, Ray Ozzie, Chief Technical Officer, will assume the title of chief software architect. Also happening immediately, Craig Mundie, Chief Technical Officer, will become chief research and strategy officer. Gates said in a statement: "I feel very fortunate to have such great technical leaders like Ray and Craig at the company... I remain fully committed and full time at Microsoft through June 2008 and will be working side by side with Ray and Craig to ensure that a smooth transition occurs." Gates, who will remain chairman of the corporation, also said he believes "the road ahead for Microsoft is as bright as ever."
The Gates foundation will be the recipient of a $37 billion (U.S.) donation from investor Warren Buffett. The 75-year-old Buffett announced on June 25 to Fortune magazine that he would give a mass portion of his wealth in his will to the Gates foundation upon his death.
Buffett is the world’s second richest person, following Gates, and possesses a fortune estimated at $42 billion (U.S.).  |
