Senior Microsoft Executives Join Newly Formed Executive Committee

REDMOND, Wash., Dec. 3, 1996 — Microsoft Corp. today announced the formation of the Executive Committee, which will replace the Office of the President as the most senior management team at the company. Senior Vice President Jim Allchin and Senior Vice President Brad Silverberg will join Steve Ballmer, Bill Gates, Bob Herbold, Pete Higgins, Paul Maritz, Nathan Myhrvold and Jeff Raikes on the new Executive Committee. The committee will be the senior-level decision-making body at the company.

“I am excited about expanding the senior team at Microsoft to include Brad and Jim. Microsoft’s success is a result of great product development leadership as exemplified by Jim and Brad,”
said Bill Gates, Chairman and CEO of Microsoft.
“Their active participation on the Executive Committee will be critical to our future.”

Expanded Product Organizations Announced; Integration to Benefit Customers

Both Allchin and Silverberg will assume expanded product responsibilities in addition to their new positions on the Executive Committee. Allchin will be head of the personal and business systems group. This group will include the Windows® operating systems division, server applications division and associated marketing functions. Silverberg will be in charge of the applications and Internet client group, which includes the desktop applications division, Internet client and collaboration division, tools division, Web authoring product unit, developer relations group and associated marketing functions. The new groups will allow greater focus on product interoperability, while maintaining focus on individual products and their target customers.

As detailed above, Allchin and Silverberg will join the Executive Committee, and will report to Group Vice President Paul Maritz, who also retains responsibility for the consumer platforms division managed by Senior Vice President Craig Mundie.

“We believe the new organization will accelerate our ability to deliver the next level of functionality in the areas of connectivity and collaboration across all our product lines,”
said Paul Maritz, Group Vice President of Applications and Systems Software.
“Brad and Jim will be charged with providing the leadership in these key areas, while continuing to drive the individual product businesses.”

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (NASDAQ
“MSFT”
) is the worldwide leader in software for personal computers. The company offers a wide range of products and services for business and personal use, each designed with the mission of making it easier and more enjoyable for people to take advantage of the full power of personal computing every day.

Microsoft and Windows are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.

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