A Conversation with Stephen Elop

As president of the Microsoft Business Division, Stephen Elop oversees the Information Worker, Microsoft Business Solutions and Unified Communications Groups. This division is responsible for the Microsoft Office system of programs, servers and software-based services, Microsoft Dynamics, business applications for small and midsize businesses, large organizations and divisions of global enterprises and Microsoft’s Unified Communications, products that provide complete software-based communications tools to business.

Elop joined Microsoft in January, 2008 and is a member of the company’s senior leadership team that sets overall strategy and direction for Microsoft.

Before joining Microsoft, Elop was Chief Operating Officer for Juniper Networks, a leading provider of high-performance network infrastructure and a valued Microsoft partner. As COO, Elop was responsible for all the company’s product groups, corporate development, global sales and service and marketing and manufacturing organizations.

Prior to Juniper, Elop served as president of worldwide field operations at Adobe Systems Inc., where he was responsible for Adobe’s global sales organization and all customer-facing functions. Elop joined Adobe following the 2005 acquisition of Macromedia Inc., where he was president and CEO. During his seven-year tenure at Macromedia, Elop held many senior positions, including COO, executive vice president of worldwide field operations and general manager of the company’s eBusiness division. Earlier in his career, he served in a number of executive positions, including chief information officer.

Elop earned a bachelor’s degree in computer engineering and management from McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario.

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