James I. Cash, Jr.
REDMOND, Wash., June 7, 2001 — Microsoft Corp. today announced that Harvard Business School professor and organizational consultant James I. Cash Jr., 53, will join the company’s board of directors.
“Jim has been one of the leading critical thinkers in the world of information technology for nearly three decades. He is one of those rare individuals with deep knowledge and experience in both the academic and business communities,”
said Bill Gates, Microsoft chairman and chief software architect.
“Jim’s proven expertise in business management, as well as his distinguished academic research and writing on information technology and its organizational impact, will be a major asset to Microsoft’s board.”
A member of Harvard’s faculty since 1976, Cash has taught numerous MBA courses and executive education programs, as well as chaired Harvard’s MBA program from 1992 to 1995. Cash is widely recognized for expertise in the role of information systems technology in corporations and has served as a consultant to companies and businesses worldwide.
“This is a unique opportunity to serve the shareholders of one of the most important companies in the world,”
Cash said.
“I plan to contribute in many dimensions, but most specifically will work to convey the perspective and challenges faced by CIOs at large, geographically dispersed companies.”
Among Cash’s published works are five books on information systems management and technology; numerous articles in accounting, business and computer journals; and a regular column in Information Week magazine.
Cash holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Texas Christian University, a master’s degree in computer science from Purdue University’s Graduate School of Mathematical Sciences, and a doctor of philosophy degree in management information systems from Purdue University’s Krannert Graduate School of Management. Before his graduate studies, Cash worked for several years as a director of data processing at Langston University, as well as working as a systems analyst and an application and systems programmer.
Cash serves on the boards of directors of several other companies, including The Chubb Corp., General Electric Co., Knight-Ridder Inc., Scientific-Atlanta Inc. and Winstar Communications Inc. He is also a trustee of Massachusetts General Hospital and Partners Healthcare, the Massachusetts Software and Internet Council, and an overseer of the Museum of Science, Boston.
Other Microsoft directors include Steve Ballmer, CEO, Microsoft; Gates; Raymond V. Gilmartin, chairman, president and chief executive officer, Merck & Company Inc.; David Marquardt, general partner, August Capital; Ann McLaughlin, chairman emeritus, The Aspen Institute, and senior adviser, Benedetto and Gartland & Company Inc.; W.G. Reed Jr., chairman of the board, Simpson Investment Co. (retired); and Jon Shirley, president and chief operating officer, Microsoft (retired).
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq
“MSFT”
) is the worldwide leader in software, services and Internet technologies 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.
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