Hallman to Join Microsoft Corp.

Michael R. Hallman, president of Boeing Computer Services, will become president and chief operating officer of the software publishing company Microsoft Corp.

Hallman, 44, will join Microsoft on April 2 and will succeed Jon A. Shirley on June 30, when Shirley retires.

Boeing Co., meanwhile, announced that Arthur E. Hitsman, executive vice president of Boeing Aerospace & Electronics, will replace Hallman, while John B. Sheridan will take over Hitsman’s job. Sheridan is vice president and general manager of BA&E;’s Electronic Systems Division.

Hallman, who has been president of BCS since November, 1987, is responsible for all Boeing computing and communications systems, including the company’s outside computer services, which had sales of $360 million in 1989. He managed a staff of 13,000 people.

Microsoft employs about 5,000 people and had sales of $803.5 million in fiscal 1989.

Hallman, who holds a master’s degree in business from Michigan, has more than 23 years of computer experience. Before joining Boeing, he spent 20 years at IBM.

“With his background, Mike will bring new insights into how Microsoft can help larger organizations utilize personal computers for greater productivity and improved information access,” said Bill Gates, Microsoft chairman and chief executive.

Shirley will remain on Microsoft’s board and will serve as a consultant to the company for strategic projects.

Hitsman was named to his current post at Boeing in May, 1989, when the former Boeing Aerospace and Boeing Electronics divisions were consolidated. Prior to that, he served as president of Boeing Electronics and vice president and general manager of the Ballistics Systems Division of Boeing Aerospace.

Hitsman, who joined Boeing in 1950 as a design engineer, holds a master’s degree in mechanical engineering from Oregon State.