REDMOND, Wash. — Nov. 9, 2005 — Microsoft Corp. today held its annual shareholder meeting where its new product lineup took center stage. Microsoft Chief Executive Officer Steve Ballmer discussed the company’s plan to continue investing in innovation to fuel growth and its strong product pipeline. Ballmer also highlighted the recent announcement of its software-based services designed to deliver rich and seamless experiences to individuals and small businesses. Microsoft® Windows Live™ and Office Live will combine the power of software plus services to deliver compelling enhancements to the Microsoft Windows® and Microsoft Office products.
Microsoft Chairman and Chief Software Architect Bill Gates discusses the coming wave of software breakthroughs at the company’s annual shareholder meeting. Bellevue, Wash., Nov. 9. 2005
Bill Gates, chairman and chief software architect of Microsoft, outlined the company’s vision for the future wave of software innovation and demonstrated some of the software breakthroughs coming in Windows Live services, Windows Vista™, mobile devices and Xbox 360™.
“Software is redefining every aspect of how we live today, and Microsoft is at the forefront of driving software innovation,” Ballmer said. “Our product pipeline and ability to drive shareholder value have never been stronger.”
At the annual shareholder meeting, shareholders voted in favor of each of the following actions by more than 97 percent:
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Elected 10 directors to serve until the next annual meeting of shareholders
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Ratified the selection of Deloitte & Touche LLP as the company’s independent auditor for fiscal year 2006.
Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer outlines plans for investment in continued innovation at the company’s annual shareholder meeting. Bellevue, Wash., Nov. 9, 2005
Microsoft’s board of directors consists of William H. Gates, Microsoft chairman and chief software architect; Steven A. Ballmer, Microsoft chief executive officer; James I. Cash Jr., Ph.D., former James E. Robison professor of business administration at the Harvard Business School; Dina Dublon, former chief financial officer of JPMorgan Chase; Raymond V. Gilmartin, former chairman, president and chief executive officer of Merck & Co. Inc.; Ann McLaughlin Korologos, senior adviser with Benedetto, Gartland & Co. Inc.; David F. Marquardt, general partner at August Capital; Charles H. Noski, former corporate vice president and chief financial officer of Northrop Grumman Corp. and formerly vice chairman of AT&T Corp.; Dr. Helmut Panke, chairman of the board of management at BMW Bayerische Motoren Werke AG; and Jon Shirley, former president and chief operating officer of Microsoft. Eight of the 10 board members are independent, consistent with the requirement in the company’s governance guidelines that a majority be independent.
The board has five committees: an Audit Committee, a Compensation Committee, a Finance Committee, a Governance and Nominating Committee, and an Antitrust Compliance Committee. Under the committee structure, the Audit Committee members are Cash, Dublon, and Noski (chairperson). The Compensation Committee members are Cash, Korologos (chairperson) and Panke. The Finance Committee members are Dublon, Marquardt, Noski and Shirley (chairperson). The Governance and Nominating Committee members are Gilmartin (chairperson) and Marquardt. The Antitrust Compliance Committee members are Cash (chairperson), Gilmartin and Korologos.
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.
Microsoft CFO Christopher Liddell reviews the company’s financial performance at the annual Microsoft Corp. shareholder meeting. Bellevue, Wash., Nov. 9, 2005.
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