Microsoft Corp Chairman Bill Gates said he and other directors have met with "a lot of CEO candidates" to replace Chief Executive Officer Steve Ballmer. The board convened on Tuesday to discuss some of the candidates, Gates said at the company's annual shareholder meeting in Bellevue, Washington, Ballmer's last before he steps down. Gates said he wouldn't give a timeline for the decision.
The world's largest software maker is going through its biggest transition in decades, seeking a new leader while it adopts a new corporate structure focused on devices and services. Microsoft is also buying Nokia Oyj's handset unit, its largest acquisition by number of employees. The new CEO will have to keep pace with a shift among consumers and businesses to mobile devices and Web-delivered software.
"It's a complex role to fill," Gates said. He thanked Ballmer and choking up, said that "we share a commitment to make sure the next CEO is the right person for the right time for the company we both love."
