One of Microsoft's top executives has resigned.
Pete Higgins, the 40-year-old group vice president of Microsoft's interactive media group, will step down at the end of the year for a "leave of absence." He will return in 1999 to assume a different post, the company said.
"This was a very tough decision to make," said Higgins in a prepared statement. "But after 15 years, I decided it was time to take a brief hiatus and concentrate on my family and personal projects."
Microsoft's (MSFT) president, Steve Ballmer, will assume Higgins' duties until a replacement is named.
As head of the interactive media group, Higgins was one of eight executives who run the software superpower. His duties included overseeing the operations of the MSN directory site, MSNBC -- the cable TV and Internet partnership with NBC -- and development of consumer CD-ROMs, multimedia games, and finance software.
His departure comes at a critical stage in Microsoft's Internet business development. The company recently consolidated all of its Web properties at the redesigned MSN.com Web site and began aggressively promoting the site as a competitor to the likes of Yahoo. Microsoft plans to embark on a massive marketing blitz for the service in coming months.
Some of Microsoft's more embarassing failures, including the dismal performance the original Microsoft Network, a would-be AOL killer, happened under Higgins's watch. He was under tremendous stress to turn things around, according to Microsoft employees. "He'd overseen a lot of nasty failures," said one Microsoft employee who asked to remain anonymous.
Prior to taking his current position, Higgins enjoyed a string of successes during a Microsoft career that began in 1983. His previous positions include vice president of desktop applications, where he oversaw development of the Microsoft Office software suite, and group vice president of the applications and content group.
"Pete was instrumental in building the premier software-application business in the world and has played a key role in formulating and executing Microsoft's online strategy," said CEO Bill Gates in a statement. "I'm going to greatly miss having him around day to day, but look forward to him returning in an equally challenging role."
