With Vista release in sight, a key Windows exec exits
Seattle PI | at | by Mike
A Microsoft executive who led Windows Vista's development is leaving for Amazon.com, with the clock ticking down to the scheduled release of the delayed operating system.
A series of executives have left Microsoft over the past year, but Valentine's position and long tenure make him particularly noteworthy. Among other things, he was publicly praised by the company as an effective leader in the final stages of Windows 2000 development.
He was most recently senior vice president of Microsoft's Windows Core Operating System Division, a central group responsible for Windows engineering. He has been a leader in a variety of areas, even in extracurricular activities -- learning how to ice skate so he could play goalie for the Windows hockey team.