Microsoft focusing search for new CEO
Published 5:00 am Friday, October 11, 2013
SEATTLE — Microsoft’s board is working toward having the successor to Chief Executive Officer Steve Ballmer in place by the end of this year and is winnowing a list of candidates, said people with knowledge of the discussions.
The board is narrowing its choices amid preliminary interviews, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the talks are private. Some candidates have declined to be considered, including eBay CEO John Donahoe, two people said.
Board members have already spoken with candidates such as Ford CEO Alan Mulally; former Nokia CEO Stephen Elop, who will join Microsoft when its $7.2 billion acquisition of Nokia’s handset unit closes; former Microsoft No. 3 executive Paul Maritz, who is now CEO of cloud venture Pivotal; and Microsoft business development and evangelism chief Tony Bates, said the people.