Steve Ballmer

Lore & Background

Ballmer was hired by Bill Gates at Microsoft in 1980, leaving the Stanford MBA program to join as the company's 30th employee and first business manager. He became president in 1998 and replaced Gates as CEO on January 13, 2000. Under his 14-year leadership, Microsoft tripled sales and doubled profits, but lost market dominance and missed key 21st-century technology trends such as the rise of smartphones. He retired as CEO on February 4, 2014, and left Microsoft's board on August 19, 2014.

Ballmer grew up in Farmington Hills, Michigan, and attended Harvard University, where he lived down the hall from Bill Gates and graduated magna cum laude in applied mathematics and economics. He worked at Procter & Gamble and briefly attended Stanford Graduate School of Business before dropping out to join Microsoft. He later became owner of the Los Angeles Clippers, an improvement over previous owner Donald Sterling according to players and sportswriters, citing his willingness to acquire superstar players and finance the Intuit Dome.

Reader's Guide

Steve Ballmer's significance lies in his long tenure as Microsoft's CEO during a period of substantial financial growth but strategic missteps. While annual revenue surged from $25 billion to $70 billion and net income increased 215%, the company's share price stagnated and it failed to capitalize on consumer technologies like smartphones and tablets. Ballmer's leadership saw the company settle antitrust lawsuits, diversify into enterprise software and gaming with Xbox, and acquire Skype. His ownership of the Los Angeles Clippers is widely regarded as a positive change from the previous owner. Ballmer's legacy is mixed: he maintained profitability of core products like Windows and Office and built new businesses, but critics note Microsoft lost its market dominance and played catch-up in mobile and other emerging tech sectors.

Did You Know?

• Ballmer scored 800 on the mathematical section of the SAT and was a National Merit Scholar.
• He was a second cousin of actress and comedian Gilda Radner through his mother.
• When Microsoft was incorporated in 1981, Ballmer owned 8% of the company.
• Ballmer shared an office at Procter & Gamble with Jeff Immelt, later CEO of General Electric.

Notable Quotes (Wikiquote)

"Steven Anthony "Steve" Ballmer (born 24 March 1956) is an American businessman and investor who was the Chief Executive Officer of Microsoft from January 13, 2000, to February 4, 2014." — Steve Ballmer "I think it would be absolutely reckless and irresponsible for anyone to try and break up Microsoft." — Steve Ballmer "DOJ Case: Your Voice Counts!". Freedom to Innovate Network. Microsoft (17 January 2000). Retrieved on 2018-01-03." — Steve Ballmer "Whoo! Whoo! Whoo! Come on! Get up, get up! Come on! Come on, give it up for me! Whoo! Whoo! Come on! Who said 'sit down'? I have four words for you. I. Love. This. Company. Yes!" — Steve Ballmer