Microsoft COO Kevin Turner Heads to Citadel

By: Daniella Soloway

After 11 years of service with Microsoft Corp., Chief Operating Officer Kevin Turner is leaving to lead hedge-fund Citadel, LLC’s securities unit. Turner’s previous roles include information chief for Wal-Mart, and leading Sam’s Club.

With Turner’s departure, Microsoft decided to nix the position of COO. Instead, it reorganized its sales division by promoting two of its employees: Judson Althoff as executive vice president (previously president of Microsoft North America), and Jean-Philippe Courtois as executive vice president and head of global sales, marketing and operations (previously president of Microsoft International).

Before leaving, Turner oversaw 51,000 employees, and was responsible for every Microsoft product’s sale. He was the third highest paid employee, earning $12.2 million in cash and stock.