Microsoft has officially named 22-year veteran Satya Nadella as it’s next chief executive officer. On Tuesday, the company named Nadella CEO as co-founder Bill Gates steps down as chairman, but will advise the new CEO on technology, among other things. Daniel Ives, an analyst at FBR Capital Markets said, “It’s a relief this process is over, many investors view it as the ‘safe pick’ as Mr. Nadella is a born-and-bred Redmond insider. But the uphill battle continues for Microsoft on it’s path to growth.”
46-year-old Nadella born in India, led the creation of Microsoft’s Internet-based, or “cloud” computing services. He’s taking the job from Steve Ballmer, who took the job from Bill Gates in 2000. Once Ballmer announced last August that he was retiring the Redmond, Washington based company, the search for his replacement commenced. The search lasted five months. Investors thought it was longer than they they expected.
“We aimed to complete the process within four to six months, and we met that goal,” Thompson said in a video statement on Microsoft’s website. “After reviewing all of the candidates, Satya was our first and unanimous choice.” Gates said Nadella’s experience in cloud computing made him the right man to lead Microsoft, as the company struggles to find its feet in the new arena of mobile computing. Investors and analysts are already noting how effective Nadella will be in reigniting the company’s mobile ambitions and satisfying Wall Street’s hunger for cash.
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