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Microsoft Research Chief Mundie To Retire in 2014, Takes Advisory Role

Craig Mundie, who for the past six years has served as Microsoft's chief research and strategy officer and head of Microsoft Research, is moving into an advisory role within the company until he retires next year.

Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer issued a memo detailing the executive change on Dec. 14, according to AllThingsD's Ina Fried. "Craig, who celebrated his 20th anniversary at Microsoft this month, plans to retire in 2014 after he turns 65," Ballmer wrote in the memo, which has since been published in full by Bloomberg.

In the meantime, Mundie will assume the role of Ballmer's senior advisor. He will participate in "key strategic projects" within Microsoft, as well as liaise with government agencies and businesses on technology standards, policy and regulation, according to his updated executive bio.

Mundie has been with Microsoft for two decades, beginning his tenure with the company in its Consumer Platforms Division. He was a key figure in the establishment of Microsoft's Trustworthy Computing initiative, which is focused on improving the security, reliability and privacy of Microsoft's products.

Mundie became the chief research and strategy officer in 2006, when then-Chief Software Architect Bill Gates announced his intention to retire. As part of the executive transition, Gates delegated his research duties to Mundie and his chief software architect title to Ray Ozzie. Ozzie has since left Microsoft to found his own startup.

"Over his career, Craig has brought great value to the groups and initiatives he has started and overseen and now brings that wealth of experience to his new role," Ballmer said in the memo, applauding Mundie's contributions to the Trustworthy Computing group and to Microsoft's Technology Policy Group.

Taking the helm of Microsoft Research after Mundie will be Eric Rudder, the company's chief technical strategy officer. Previously, Rudder had served as general manager of Visual Studio, head of the Developer and Platform Evangelism division, and senior vice president of Servers and Tools.

About the Author

Gladys Rama (@GladysRama3) is the editorial director of Converge360.

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