In what may further illustrate where Microsoft's strategy is headed, the software company is pulling a wireless innovator onto its board of directors.
John W. Stanton, chairman of Trilogy Equity Partners, is now the eleventh member of Microsoft's board. He is described as a wireless industry pioneer and innovator in an announcement.
"John brings extraordinary experience in the mobile communications industry and deep business acumen, and we are delighted that he is joining Microsoft's board of directors," said John W. Thompson, Microsoft chairman in a release.
Stanton is also chairman of Trilogy International Partners, a wireless operator in Central and South America and New Zealand.
"John's insights into mobility around the globe and his expertise in working with organizations as CEO and as a board member will be invaluable as we transform Microsoft for growth and leadership in the mobile-first, cloud-first world," said Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella.
It's the latest leadership shift Nadella has made since taking the reins from Steve Ballmer. As Tech Times has reported, Nadella has moved some top leaders into new roles in his quest to refocus the software giant on mobile and cloud technologies. The latest leadership shuffle was the resignation of Yammer founder David Sacks. Just a week or so earlier Microsoft had officially announced the layoff of 18,000 employees over the next year.
Stanton, according to the release, has led four of the top wireless operators in the United States over the past three decades, and operated wireless networks in Europe, Africa, Central and South America, and New Zealand. His long resume includes stints at McCaw Cellular, Western Wireless, VoiceStream Wireless (which became T-Mobile) and chairman of Clearwire from 2008 to last year.
"I'm happy to be joining Microsoft at such a pivotal moment in the company's history," Stanton states in the release. "I know firsthand what an indispensable role Microsoft plays in the technology industry, in the lives of countless people around the world, and in the Puget Sound region, so I'm excited to have the opportunity to help shape Microsoft's future."
Stanton will join the Compensation Committee of the Microsoft board.
The other 10 members of the board of directors include John W. Thompson, Microsoft chairman and chief executive officer of Virtual Instruments; Steve Ballmer, former chief executive officer of Microsoft; Dina Dublon, former chief financial officer of JPMorgan Chase; Bill Gates, Microsoft founder and technology adviser; Maria M. Klawe, president of Harvey Mudd College; David F. Marquardt, general partner at August Capital; G. Mason Morfit, president of ValueAct Capital; Satya Nadella, Microsoft chief executive officer; Charles H. Noski, former vice chairman of Bank of America Corp.; and Dr. Helmut Panke, former chairman of the board of management at BMW AG.
