Microsoft: Ayala Out of Channel, SMS&P to Report to COO

Orlando Ayala is leaving Microsoft's channel organization and the SMS&P (Small and Mid-Market Solutions and Partners) group and is moving to a position directly under COO Kevin Turner as part of a restructuring to align business units with business goals.

SMS&P moves from under the Microsoft Business Solutions, led by Doug Burgum, senior vice president of MBS and under the umbrella of the Business Division. SMS&P now reports directly to Turner in the operations group.

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The personnel and division swapping is a continuation of the distribution announced in September to realign several existing units into three core divisions —Platforms and Services; Business; and Entertainment and Devices—to streamline decision making and speed to market, a Microsoft spokesperson said.

Ayala is being replaced by Eduardo Rosini, and Allison Watson, formerly vice president of SMS&P, has been promoted to corporate vice president.

Watson maintains the same role under Rosini that she held under Ayala, but will also hold sway directly as part of "Turner's extended leadership team," Microsoft said in a statement announcing the changes.

Rosini begins his SMS&P assignment immediately, but will continue his previous role as vice president of the Asia-Pacific organization until a replacement can be found.

Ayala moves to the role of senior vice president of the Emerging Segments Market Development Group, where he is tasked with driving business development and investment in emerging geographies, including nations such as, Brazil, China, India and Russia as well as underserved regions, such as Flint, Mich., a Microsoft spokesperson said.

Microsoft last shuffled the SMS&P deck in May, when it was announced Margo Day, vice president of the US Partner Group, would move to become a regional vice president in the SMS&P field group. She was replaced by Robert Deshaies, Vice President of the East region in that same field group.