Microsoft Chief Software Architect Ray Ozzie is resigning from the company. Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer announced the
resignation in a companywide e-mail Oct. 18. He also noted that the position of
chief software architect — one previously held by Bill Gate — will not be
reassigned. "The CSA role was unique and I won’t refill the role after Ray’s
departure," Ballmer wrote.
Ballmer’s e-mail declined to mention a specific reason for Ozzie’s departure
but did its best to cast a positive light on developments. "With our progress in services and the cloud now full speed ahead in
all aspects of our business, Ray and I are announcing today Ray’s intention to
step down from his role as chief software architect," Ballmer wrote in his
e-mail. "He will remain with the company as he transitions the teams and
ongoing strategic projects within his organization."
Ozzie is the latest high-profile resignation from Microsoft. In September,
Microsoft Business Division President Stephen Elop stepped down to take the CEO
reins at Nokia. Earlier this year, a
shakeup in Microsoft’s Entertainment & Devices Division saw the
simultaneous departures of Robbie Bach, president of that unit, and J Allard,
its senior vice president of design and development.
As chief software architect, Ozzie had been at the forefront of Microsoft’s
movements into the cloud and social-networking spaces. In October 2009, he
announced the creation of FUSE Labs, a unit focused on software related to
social connectivity, real-time experiences and rich media.
For more, read the eWeek article Microsoft’s Ray Ozzie Resigns.