Microsoft Names Bruce Brooks as Director of Community Affairs

REDMOND, Wash., Nov. 11, 1999 — Microsoft Corp. today announced that Bruce Brooks, a former deputy mayor of Seattle and a leader in local and regional civic and philanthropic organizations, will join the company as director of community affairs overseeing Microsoft’s charitable programs, which last year gave more than $104 million in cash and software to nonprofit organizations.

Brooks, 41, served as deputy mayor to Seattle Mayor Norm Rice from 1995 through 1997, managing a wide range of municipal issues including economic development, human services, capital planning, internal administration, and personnel and labor relations. He currently serves as senior vice president for MWW/Savitt, a Seattle-based public relations and public affairs firm, where he manages firm operations and advises a wide range of clients on community relations, government affairs, business communication and corporate giving.

“We’re delighted about Bruce joining our team,”
said Bill Neukom, senior vice president of Law and Corporate Affairs at Microsoft.
“Microsoft and its employees have always considered giving and volunteerism a central part of our company. Bruce’s experience and background will help us build on this tradition and continue the growth of the Microsoft Giving Program into the next millennium.”

Created in 1983, Microsoft’s community affairs program is one of the first philanthropic efforts in the high-tech industry. The company’s worldwide charitable efforts are aimed at increasing access to technology for disadvantaged communities and supporting community organizations in the areas of education, human services, civic development, the arts and the environment.

Last year, Microsoft gave more than $25 million in cash and $79 million in software* to more than 5,000 nonprofit organizations. The company encourages every employee to give to charity by matching, dollar-for-dollar, employee charitable contributions up to $12,000 per employee annually. More than 20,000 Microsoft employees participate in the program.

Brooks recently served as chairman of the Board of Directors for United Way of King County from 1998 to 1999. There, he helped guide the organization’s work with donors, partner agencies and volunteers to find increasingly effective ways to meet health and human service needs across the county.

Joanne R. Harrell, president and CEO of United Way of King County, is pleased Brooks will head Microsoft’s community affairs efforts.
“Bruce Brooks will take Microsoft’s community affairs activities to new heights. He brings an incredible sense of community and a fantastic set of experiences that will serve to enhance an already remarkable program of philanthropy and volunteerism,”
Harrell said.

Since 1996, Brooks has served on the board of the $450 million Northwest Area Foundation, a private foundation dedicated to working in partnership with communities to alleviate poverty in an eight-state region comprising Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, South Dakota, North Dakota, Iowa and Minnesota.

“Microsoft has an outstanding record of helping nonprofit agencies and disadvantaged communities worldwide,”
said Brooks.
“Its efforts to bridge the digital divide and provide people with the tools they need to be successful are particularly important contributions in this day and age. I look forward to working with the community affairs team to continue these and other efforts to make a positive difference.”

Brooks replaces Barbara Dingfield as director of community affairs. Dingfield retired from Microsoft in July 1999.

Brooks received an undergraduate degree in history and a law degree from Harvard University. Among his other civic activities, Brooks has served on the boards of the Benaroya Hall Music Center, the Seattle Housing Authority, the Legal Aid for Washington Fund, the Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce and Leadership Tomorrow. He is married to Debra Prinzing, a Seattle-based journalist. They have two young sons.

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq
“MSFT”
) is the worldwide leader in software for personal and business computing. The company offers a wide range of products and services designed to empower people through great software – any time, any place and on any device.

*Software donations based on estimated retail prices.

Microsoft is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.

Other product and company names herein may be trademarks of their respective owners.

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Erin Cox, Waggener Edstrom, (503) 443-7000, [email protected]

Jenny Moede, Waggener Edstrom, (503) 443-7000, [email protected]

Rapid Response Team, Waggener Edstrom, (503) 443-7000, [email protected]

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