Wireless pioneer John Stanton named to Microsoft board in latest bid by software giant to gain ground in mobile
John Stanton helped rework the mobile business over the previous three a long time, serving in government roles at McCaw Celluar; Western Wireless and VoiceStream Wireless. He’s additionally the previous chairman of Bellevue-based Clearwire.
Now the mobile cellphone pioneer goes to assist information Microsoft because it embarks on a difficult course of catching up to Apple and Google in mobile computing. Stanton was named to Microsoft’s board today, turning into the eleventh director of the world’s largest software maker.
“John’s insights into mobility across the globe and his experience in working with organizations as CEO and as a board member will likely be invaluable as we rework Microsoft for progress and management in the mobile-first, cloud-first world,” stated Microsoft chief government officer Satya Nadella.
The appointment of Stanton — a graduate of Whitman Faculty in Walla Walla, Washington — will give Microsoft a little bit of mobile cellphone swagger at a time when its market share is caught in single digits and a few say it ought to abandon the system market altogether. (Beforehand on GeekWire: Microsoft should dump Windows Phone, says former Windows evangelist Robert Scoble).
Microsoft’s mobile working system share in the U.S. stands at simply 3.4 %, according to comScore. Android’s share stands at 52 %, and Apple’s resides at 41.9 %.
Stanton and the remainder of the Microsoft crew clearly have some work to do.
Stanton — who’s broadly revered in the tech business — gained’t have to journey far for board conferences. A enterprise capitalist at Trilogy Fairness Companions, he lives in the Seattle space.
Right here’s the complete press launch:
Microsoft Corp. on Wednesday introduced that John W. Stanton, a pioneer and innovator in the U.S. and world wi-fi business, has been appointed to the corporate’s board of administrators, rising the board’s dimension to 11 members.
“John brings extraordinary expertise in the mobile communications business and deep enterprise acumen, and we’re delighted that he’s becoming a member of Microsoft’s board of administrators,” stated John W. Thompson, Microsoft chairman.
Stanton at present serves as chairman of Trilogy Fairness Companions, a personal fairness fund that invests in early-stage progress alternatives in the wi-fi ecosystem, and Trilogy Worldwide Companions, a wi-fi operator in Central and South America and New Zealand.
“John’s insights into mobility across the globe and his experience in working with organizations as CEO and as a board member will likely be invaluable as we rework Microsoft for progress and management in the mobile-first, cloud-first world,” stated Microsoft chief government officer Satya Nadella.
Stanton led 4 of the highest wi-fi operators in america over the previous three a long time, and operated wi-fi networks in Europe, Africa, Central and South America, and New Zealand. Throughout the Eighties, he served as chief working officer and vice chairman of McCaw Mobile. From 1992 to 2005, he served as chairman and chief government officer of Western Wireless Corp. Between 1995 and 2003, he served as chairman and chief government officer of VoiceStream Wireless, which was acquired by Deutsche Telekom and subsequently renamed T-Mobile USA. He additionally served as director and later chairman of Clearwire Corp. from 2008 to 2013.
“I’m glad to be becoming a member of Microsoft at such a pivotal second in the corporate’s historical past,” Stanton stated. “I do know firsthand what an indispensable position Microsoft performs in the know-how business, in the lives of numerous folks world wide, and in the Puget Sound area, so I’m excited to have the chance to assist form Microsoft’s future.”
Stanton is energetic in civic and neighborhood actions serving the Puget Sound neighborhood. He has chaired or co-chaired the Enterprise Partnership for Early Studying, the United Manner of King County marketing campaign, the Washington Roundtable, and the Regional Transportation Fee. He presently serves as chairman of 12 months Up of Puget Sound, a trustee of Whitman Faculty, and a director of the Seattle Basis.
As well as to the Microsoft board, Stanton serves as a director of Columbia Sportswear Co. Stanton graduated from Whitman Faculty and acquired his MBA from Harvard Enterprise College. He lives in the Bellevue, Wash., space along with his spouse Theresa Gillespie and has two sons.
Stanton will be part of the Compensation Committee of the Microsoft board.
As well as to Stanton, Microsoft’s board of administrators consists of John W. Thompson, Microsoft chairman and chief government officer of Digital Devices; Steve Ballmer, former chief government officer of Microsoft; Dina Dublon, former chief monetary officer of JPMorgan Chase; Invoice Gates, Microsoft founder and know-how advisor; Maria M. Klawe, president, Harvey Mudd Faculty; David F. Marquardt, common accomplice at August Capital; G. Mason Morfit, president, ValueAct Capital; Satya Nadella, Microsoft chief government officer; Charles H. Noski, former vice chairman of Financial institution of America Corp.; and Dr. Helmut Panke, former chairman of the board of administration at BMW AG.
Based in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide chief in software, companies, units and options that assist folks and companies understand their full potential.