Microsoft's Windows Team Gets A New Leader

Sievert most recently was AT&T Wireless' executive vice president and chief marketing officer. Before that he was chief marketing and sales officer at E*Trade Group.

Sievert takes over from Tom Button, who has been on a leave of absence from Microsoft because of family medical reasons, Microsoft said, adding that Button is expected to return to Microsoft in a different capacity.

"Sievert will be responsible for marketing, product management and product planning for the Windows Client, including the next version of Microsoft Windows, code-named 'Longhorn,'" Microsoft stated. "Mike's experience communicating the value of technology and services to a broad customer base. . .will be invaluable to Microsoft's long-term efforts to grow the Windows ecosystem and to deliver 'Longhorn' in 2006."

Early in his business career, Sievert held positions at IBM and at The Proctor and Gamble Company.