Windows Head Departs for Amazon

19-year Microsoft veteran Brian Valentine, who has led Windows development since 1998, is leaving the Redmond company to join Amazon.com. The news comes just one month after Microsoft said Valentine would transition to a new, unspecified role.

Valentine began working at Microsoft in 1987 as an Engineering Manager in the LAN Manager Group. He was largely responsible for cleaning up the Windows 2000 development mess and getting the operating system out the door.

Recently, as Senior Vice President of Windows Core Operating System Division, Valentine has been leading the development of Windows Vista, which has been plagued by delays. But Steven Sinofsky, who is taking the reigns from Jim Allchin, brought in Jon DeVaan to head up the Windows Core OS Division in August, replacing Valentine and putting his future at Microsoft into doubt.

"In his 19 great years at Microsoft, Brian played a central leadership role and his contribution to the success of many Microsoft products is significant and indelible," said Vista product manager Nick White. "Brian chose to depart the company once he felt Windows Vista was where it needed to be. His confidence in Windows Vista at its current RC1 milestone helped shape his decision."

Jupiter Research senior analyst Joe Wilcox says he expects Microsoft knew Valentine would be leaving the company. "Change is in the air. Jim Allchin and Brian Valentine were among the crew, just two of the boys, so to speak; they fit in with the developer culture, which may not have been the most pragmatic or business minded culture."

"I expect the new leadership will increase accountability and put in place processes designed to get products out in a more timely manner. The effects of these changes already are materializing. How the approach syncs with Microsoft's developer culture is uncertain, however. But I expect that Brian won't be the only Microsoft employee going elsewhere," added Wilcox.

Microsoft's White says Windows Vista remains "on track" to be available for businesses in November, with a consumer launch slated for early 2007.