Exec Exits Bad News for Microsoft Techies

Microsoft watchers say the loss of Muglia and others could prove to be a burden to the company's technical staff.

The departures of Bob Muglia and other executives from Microsoft Corp. could be a troubling sign for the software vendor, because many of those involved in the exodus were held in high esteem by the company's technical talent, industry observers say.

Muglia, a 23-year Microsoft veteran who's slated to step down as president of the company's lucrative Server and Tools Business (STB) this summer, will be the latest in a wave of top executives to leave the software giant in recent months.

In just over a year, Microsoft has lost Chief Software Architect Ray Ozzie; Stephen Elop, the Office group's president; Robbie Bach, president of the entertainment division; Chief Financial Officer Chris Liddell; and now Muglia.

The departures of Bob Muglia and other executives from Microsoft Corp. could be a troubling sign for the software vendor, because many of those involved in the exodus were held in high esteem by the company's technical talent, industry observers say.

Muglia, a 23-year Microsoft veteran who's slated to step down as president of the company's lucrative Server and Tools Business (STB) this summer, will be the latest in a wave of top executives to leave the software giant in recent months.

In just over a year, Microsoft has lost Chief Software Architect Ray Ozzie; Stephen Elop, the Office group's president; Robbie Bach, president of the entertainment division; Chief Financial Officer Chris Liddell; and now Muglia.

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