Paul Maritz

Paul Maritz "left his post [in 2000] as vice president of Microsoft (NSDQ:MSFT)'s Platforms Strategy and Developer Group after 14 years at the software giant...

"Maritz is leaving for personal reasons, not "to go off to any other company," says Chris Atkinson, vice president of Microsoft's .Net developer solutions group. "He was originally born in Africa and is going to spend a lot more time at his ranch [in Zimbabwe]," says Atkinson. "Obviously it's a sad day [for Microsoft]."

"Atkinson says Microsoft has no plans to replace Maritz directly, but Jim Allchin, group vice president of the Platforms Strategy and Developer Group, has returned from sabbatical and is "raring to go."

"Microsoft also promoted Sanjay Parthasarathy, who reported to Maritz, to a new developer evangelism and business development role. Parthasarathy reports to President and CEO Steve Ballmer."


 * Director, Grameen Foundation