Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) has hired former Oracle (NASDAQ: ORCL) Channel Chief Judson Althoff. According to a Microsoft press release, Althoff will become president, North America Sales and Marketing, and corporate VP. Althoff’s leap to Microsoft, effective March 29, comes only a few days after Oracle announced disappointing Q3 2013 earnings. This could be a huge win for Microsoft as the company attempts to position against Oracle for enterprise database, Big Data and social business opportunities.
According to the official statement from Microsoft:
“Althoff will manage a team of sales, marketing and services professionals across the United States and Canada, within a division that was a significant contributor to Microsoft’s US$73 billion in revenue in fiscal year 2013.
A business technology leader with more than 18 years of experience, Althoff previously served as senior vice president of worldwide alliances and channels and embedded sales at Oracle Corp., where he led worldwide indirect and embedded sales. During his 14 years at Oracle, Althoff held a number of senior positions, including group vice president for worldwide alliances, and vice president of global platform and distribution sales. Before Oracle, he held several sales leadership roles at EMC Corp.
“Judson has a track record of successfully developing, growing and leading global sales organizations with a culture of execution excellence,” said Kevin Turner, chief operating officer at Microsoft. “Judson’s proven leadership will enable us to continue to excel in delivering the best devices and services experience to our customers including businesses and consumers.”
Althoff will assume his new role at Microsoft on March 29, 2013, reporting to Turner.”
You read it right: Althoff has a direct line to Turner, meaning that he is part of Microsoft’s inner executive circle the day he starts. We are checking with Oracle to determine if the company has named a new channel chief.
