REDMOND, Wash., Sept. 21, 2004 — Microsoft Corp. today announced the appointment of Gerri Elliott as its new corporate vice president for Worldwide Public Sector.
Elliott joined Microsoft in 2001 after 22 years at IBM, and currently serves as corporate vice president of Microsoft’s U.S. Enterprise Group, where she leads the efforts of more than 2,500 professionals who serve the company’s largest customers in the United States. She is also directly responsible for Microsoft’s industry solutions efforts around the world in a variety of industry sectors, including financial services, healthcare, automotive, and retail and hospitality.
As Worldwide Public Sector’s new leader, Elliott will be responsible for strengthening customer and partner outreach to governments and educational organizations around the globe, as well as working across Microsoft’s business divisions to develop and coordinate products, solutions and programs that address the needs of schools and government agencies.
“Gerri Elliott has the insight, experience and personal commitment to work with governments and educational institutions around the world, to help them solve their toughest problems,” said Kevin Johnson, Microsoft group vice president for worldwide sales, marketing and services.
“Public sector agencies have a unique set of goals and challenges,” said Elliott. “Microsoft is committed to working with government and education leaders to provide solutions and programs that meet their needs.”
Microsoft’s Worldwide Public Sector group works with governments, educators, and non-governmental organizations to identify key areas where technology programs can make a difference in the delivery of government services, educational outcomes, or other public sector priorities. Microsoft works with public sector agencies to develop technology solutions that are global in scope and local in implementation. Some programs include:
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Partners in Learning, providing schools with comprehensive IT curriculum development and training in addition to greater access to the latest computer technologies. Microsoft is investing more than $250 million worldwide in programs to improve education over the next five years;
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Local Language Program, collaborating with local language authorities, academic and government bodies to support the localization of key Microsoft products into 40 additional regional languages, bringing to 80 the number of languages supported by Microsoft;
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Government Security Program, providing national governments with access to Windows and Office 2003 source code and other technical information as well as documentation and the opportunity for government experts to work closely with Microsoft technicians. Among the countries and organizations participating in this program are UK, NATO, Australia, China, Russia and Taiwan.
Over the past three years, Elliott has been instrumental in building Microsoft’s sales, marketing and services efforts to help support a number of specific industry sectors, including healthcare, financial services, communications, retail, automotive, and others. As the leader of Microsoft’s U.S. Enterprise customer business, Elliott has managed the company’s relationship with its largest corporate customers and delivered consistent growth over the last three years.
During her 22-year IBM career, Elliott developed extensive international experience, including serving as Vice President of the Distribution Sector for North and South America, and two years in Tokyo as Vice President for sales, marketing and solutions efforts in several industries for the Asia Pacific region.
Elliot replaces Maggie Wilderotter, who will become CEO of Citizens Communications effective November 1.
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.
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