Microsoft Online Chief Jumps to Juniper
Priya Ganapati
07/23/08 - 07:21 PM EDT
SAN FRANCISCO -
Microsoft's(MSFT Quote - Cramer on MSFT - Stock Picks) head of Windows and online services business, Kevin Johnson, is set to leave the company, according to a report in the
Wall Street Journal.
Johnson is leaving to "run" networking firm
Juniper Networks(JNPR Quote - Cramer on JNPR - Stock Picks), according to the
Journal, citing sources familar with the situation.
Johnson, a 16-year of veteran of Microsoft, had been at the forefront of the company's bid to buy
Yahoo!(YHOO Quote - Cramer on YHOO - Stock Picks). In February, Microsoft initiated a $44.6 billion hostile bid for Yahoo that was rejected.
Since then, Microsoft has withdrawn its offer, blaming Yahoo! for its unwillingness to negotiate a reasonable deal.
Johnson, who joined Microsoft in 1992 from
IBM(IBM Quote - Cramer on IBM - Stock Picks), along with Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, Ballmer and seven other senior executives, served on the senior leadership team that set overall strategy and direction for Microsoft.
A Microsoft spokesperson wasn't immediately available for a comment.
Shares of Microsoft closed up 63 cents, or 2.4%, to $26.43 Wednesday.