Microsoft Hires Yet Another Yahoo Search Exec

Heck is the latest of several Yahoo search personnel Microsoft has snagged in recent months. Microsoft hired Qi Lu, the executive vice president of Yahoo Search and Advertising Technology Group, who took over as head of Microsoft's Online Services Group on Jan. 5. Lu was also responsible for development work in Yahoo's search and marketplace business unit.

In November, Microsoft hired Sean Suchter, who at the time was vice president of search technology at Yahoo.

Last year, Microsoft offered to buy Yahoo for $33 per share, or approximately $44 billion. But that bid was rejected by then-CEO Jerry Yang, who stepped down later in the year.

Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer has since expressed interest in acquiring Yahoo's search operations -- and now appears to be doing so one piece at a time.