Microsoft Splits Up Presidency

The president of Microsoft Corp. will step down and be replaced by a three-person office as the software giant reorganizes to manage its breakneck growth, Chairman Bill Gates said Monday.

The surprise reshuffling--called a “move to strength” by Gates--ushers out Michael R. Hallman, president for less than two years, and establishes a direct link between Gates and three of the company’s most dynamic managers.

Hallman, a former Boeing Co. and IBM executive, will give way March 1 to the triumvirate of Microsoft executives Mike Maples, Steve Ballmer and Frank Gaudette, who will share the office of president.