Microsoft To Tweak SMS&P Org

The move is aimed towards linking the company's now-somewhat-distinct small business and mid-market business marketing efforts. (SMS&P stands for and Midmarket Solutions and Partners Division.)

The changes take effect February 26: Risse will report into Eduardo Rosini, corporate vice president of worldwide SMS&P.

Risse, who had been general manager of U.S. mid-market business, now also gets small biz efforts. The last VP of small business marketing had been Steve Guggenheimer.

Davide Vigano, GM of midmarket, and Eddie Yandle senior director of small business led the team during the executive search.

Other key channel exec roles remain unchanged. Major players there include Allison Watson, corporate vice president of worldwide partners.

Risse has been with Microsoft for more than 13 years. Before his mid-market gig he was business manager for Jeff Raikes, now president of Microsoft Business Division.

In past lives he also headed up the company's .Net Enterprise Solutions Group and product manager for application development tools.