Microsoft’s Burgum: ‘Thank You, Orlando’

Microsoft announced a reorganization the week of June 26 that moved its SMS&P (Small and Midmarket Solutions and Partners) group from Midsize Business Solutions to report directly to Chief Operating Officer Kevin Turner and sent Orlando Ayala, vice president of SMS&P, out of the organization altogether to become senior vice president of the Emerging Segments Market Development Group.

In an internal e-mail sent to MBS staff, Doug Burgum, vice president of MBS, applauded Orlando Ayala for his accomplishments heading the SMS&P Group.

SUBJECT: SMSG Announcement-Thank you Orlando!

FROM: Doug Burgum

As we drive towards finishing a record year for MBS, I’d like to take this opportunity to personally thank Orlando for his dedication, energy, and inspiring field leadership in leading the Worldwide SMS&P team for the last three years, and for his last two years of leadership incorporating the dual role as MBS COO.

He has been a key driver in evangelizing MBS internally and externally around the globe. During his tenure, SMS&P has grown over $2.4 billion and MBS is on a $1 billion run rate, with profitability, for FY07. His strong focus on partners and ISVs who deliver Dynamics solutions to meet the needs of customers has resulted in a solid foundation for continued growth and leadership in business applications for Microsoft.

As Orlando moves to his new role leading Emerging Segments Market Development his MBS leadership team, Tami Reller, Craig McCollum, and Eddie O’Brien (who lead marketing, sales and operations respectively), will be stepping up collectively to deliver on work done by Orlando in his MBS COO role, and I look forward to having them join me as direct reports.

As the SMS&P segment moves to Kevin Turner’s organization, all of us within MBS look forward to working with Eduardo Rosini, Allison Watson and the rest of the SMS&P leadership team, around the globe to maintain the tight SMS&P-MBS connections that have fueled our strong Dynamics growth.

Change creates opportunity. Orlando understands this well. So do all of you who have contributed to the tremendous momentum and results delivered by SMS&P and MBS these past 3 years.

Thank you all, and especially Orlando, for your passionate example of what we can accomplish together in our pursuit of enabling people and businesses throughout the world to realize their full potential!

Doug

Click here to read Microsoft COO Kevin Turner’s take in an e-mail to the sales and marketing staff.