Microsoft fires tech systems chief after probe of conduct
Microsoft Corp. said Tuesday that it had fired its chief information officer after an internal investigation into an unspecified violation of company policies.
The Redmond, Wash.-based software giant declined to elaborate on the investigation or why Stuart L. Scott, a corporate vice president who oversaw the 79,000-employee company’s technology systems, had been terminated, said Lou Gellos, a company spokesman.
Scott, 41, joined Microsoft in July 2005 after 17 years at General Electric Co. Initially, he was a co-chief information officer for Microsoft. Last year, he became the sole holder of the title.
Scott, who could not be reached for comment, was Microsoft’s third chief information officer in four years. He reported to Chief Operating Officer Kevin Turner.
Under Scott, Microsoft consolidated the company’s data centers and streamlined applications.
Scott told Computerworld magazine in September that the role of Microsoft’s CIO was expanding beyond making sure the company’s internal technology worked. It also involved spearheading new products that came out of Microsoft’s experience as a major employer using its own software.
He added that being in charge of technology for the world’s largest technology company was a singular challenge.
“Everyone seems to have input into everyone else’s job,” he said. “It keeps you sharp. Certainly, there are people at Microsoft that think they can do my job, but they really don’t want to do my job. I think that just goes with the territory of any CIO.”
The story of Scott’s abrupt departure was first reported by technology news site ZDNet.
According to Microsoft’s website, Scott holds degrees in engineering, mathematics and computer science from the University of Louisville. He also holds an MBA from Vanderbilt University. He lives with his wife and seven children in Washington state.
A company spokeswoman said Shahla Aly, Microsoft’s general manager, and Alain Crozier, a corporate vice president, would take over Scott’s duties until a replacement was found.
