Microsoft loses head of Server and Tools division

by Steven Mostyn - Jan 11 2011, 04:59

Bob Muglia, president of Microsoft’s Server and Tools division, is to leave the company after serving at the Redmond-based software specialist for a period of 23 years.

Muglia’s departure was officially announced on Monday in an employee email dispatched by Microsoft boss Steve Ballmer.

“This is simply recognition that all businesses go through cycles and need new and different talent to manage through those cycles,” outlined Ballmer. “Bob has been a phenomenal partner throughout this process, and he and his leadership team have the right strategy in place.”

In a separate email penned by the departing Muglia, employees were informed he will be leaving later in 2011 in order to seek out “new opportunities” within the industry.

“Integrity requires principles, and my primary principle is to focus on doing the right thing, as best I can,” wrote Muglia. “The best thing, to the best of my ability, for our customers, our products, our shareholders, and of course, our people.”

Microsoft’s Server and Tools division, which is responsible for leading products such as Windows Server and SQL Server, currently pulls in around $14.9 billion USD per year. In 2010 it made $5.5 billion USD in profit.

Not that we’re suggesting rats are fleeing a sinking ship—far from it—but Muglia is just one of many high-profile execs Microsoft has lost in as many months.

Specifically, the likes of Chris Liddell, Robbie Bach, Stephen Elop and Ray Ozzie have all retired or moved to pastures new since the tail end of 2010.

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