Yet another senior Microsoft executive on way out

International software giant Microsoft Corp, which has seen the departure of several senior executives of late, will see the exit of a 23-year veteran following apparent disagreement with Steve Ballmer, its CEO.

Recent months have seen several senior executives leave Microsoft. They include Ray Ozzie, former chief software architect; Stephen Elop, the former business division president; Robbie Bach, former president, entertainment and devices division; Chris Liddell, the former finance chief; Alex Kochis, the former director of the Genuine Software program; Bill Veghte, the former group senior vice-president for Windows; and Mike Nash, the former strategy vice-president for Windows.

Robert Muglia, the president of Microsoft's server and tools business (STB), decided to quit after Ballmer informed him of a move to replace him. In an email to Microsoft employees, the CEO said he was looking for a new leader for the division, which brings in revenues of $15 billion annually for the company.

''This is simply recognition that all businesses go through cycles and need new and different talent to manage through those cycles,'' said Ballmer, in his email. ''In conjunction with this leadership change, Bob has decided to leave Microsoft this summer. He will continue to actively run STB as I conduct an internal and external search for a new leader.''

The STB earned an operating profit of $5.49 billion on revenues of $14.87 billion for the year ended June 30, 2010.

Muglia had earlier faced problems with Ballmer, who had demoted him in 2001. However, eight years later, the CEO appointed him head of the STB.