X
Business

Microsoft Windows hardware leader takes a 'vacation'

Veteran Softies are dropping like flies lately. The latest Microsoft exec to leave is Jawad Khaki, Corporate Vice President of the Windows Hardware Ecosystem. Khaki, whose job is being eliminated, is taking a 'well-earned vacation' until at least January, according to a company statement.
Written by Mary Jo Foley, Senior Contributing Editor

Veteran Softies are dropping like flies lately. The latest Microsoft exec to leave is Jawad Khaki, Corporate Vice President of the Windows Hardware Ecosystem.

Microsoft's official word, delivered via a corporate spokeswoman, is that Khaki is taking "a long-deserved vacation and will return to Microsoft in January." His vacation starts today, December 3. The spokeswoman added:

"Upon his (Khaki's) return, he will assume a new to-be-determined role. Jawad is a valued technical leader at Microsoft and we look forward to his continued contributions at the company."

Khaki's job is being eliminated. From the aforementioned spokeswoman:

"The resources in the Windows Hardware Group (formerly led by Jawad) will be reallocated across COSD (Core Operating System Division). This change is designed to create greater synergies between Microsoft’s hardware ecosystem efforts and the overall COSD engineering effort. Both the Windows Hardware Group and overall COSD mission remains unchanged - to optimize the Windows platform for partners and customers. "

Khaki's departure comes on the heels of that of Microsoft's former OEM chief Scott Di Valerio. Like Di Valerio, Khaki also was responsible for overseeing part of the Windows-hardware-related business at Microsoft. From Khaki's bio:

"Khaki manages the group of engineers and business leaders dedicated to identifying and partnering with teams inside Microsoft and within the broader hardware ecosystem to advance the hardware support in the Microsoft Windows platform. He also oversees the development of wireless networking, storage and device technologies in Microsoft Windows platforms."

As many Microsoft watchers know, "vacations," "sabatticals" and "taking time off to spend with one's family" are often synonymous for "s/he's out of here and won't be back." If I were a betting woman, I'd bet Khaki won't be back.

What's your take? What's with the latest Microsoft Windows departures? Coincidence? House-cleaning? Folks taking the hit for the less-than-stellar perceptions of Vista that continue to plague Microsoft's latest Windows client release?

Editorial standards