Tony Scott, who marshaled Microsoft Corp.’s internal IT operations for the last five years, has left his post as the company’s CIO to focus on “personal projects” and tackle family matters.
A statement from the software maker said Jim Dubois, vice-president of IT products and services management will serve as interim CIO until a suitable replacement is found.
Scott, who played a critical role in leading the department which rolled out new products for use and testing throughout Microsoft before they are released to the public. In addition to overseeing this process known in the industry as “dogfooding,” Scott also led the securing and maintaining of the company’s IT systems.
News of his departure first came to light when his LinkedIn profile last week identified Scott as “former CIO” of Microsoft. Technology online publication Geekwire broke the new on Sunday and later reported receiving an email from Scott indicating what he intended to do.
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“My dad passed away at Easter time, so taking a little time to get my mother re-settled, get my instrument rating done (I’m a pilot) and work on a couple of long-delayed personal projects,” Scott wrote in his email.
He said he will go back to work in a few months.
Scott began working for Microsoft in 2008 after a stint as Disney’s CIO. He also worked with several other companies such as General Motors and Bristol-Meyers Squibb.