Microsoft services boss to step down

C|Net | at | by Mike

The head of Microsoft's services unit is stepping down, the company said Wednesday.

The software maker said that Rick Devenuti, a former Microsoft chief information officer and a 19-year company veteran, will leave at year's end. A Microsoft representative said in an e-mail that the 48-year-old Devenuti is retiring to "focus his attention on his family and consider his next challenge."

A successor is expected to be named in the next month, Microsoft said. Devenuti will work with that new person "to ensure a smooth transition before his departure at the end of this calendar year," the company added.