Microsoft Windows unit undergoes reorganization

Less than a month after Windows Vista went on sale to the mass market, Microsoft is reorganizing the Windows marketing group.

The move, disclosed by the company Tuesday, is also the latest way that Kevin Johnson, president of Microsoft's Platforms and Services Division, is putting his stamp on the organization.

Johnson, a former head of Microsoft sales, had been running the group in partnership with longtime Windows czar Jim Allchin, who retired in January.

Under the reorganization, Johnson put Bill Veghte in charge of the new Windows Business Group marketing organization.

It's a return to Windows for Veghte, a Harvard-educated, 17-year Microsoft veteran who has steadily moved around the company and up the ranks.

Veghte was leading Windows server marketing until 2003, when he went to work for Johnson in the sales group. Johnson had moved from head of North American sales to head of global sales, and Veghte took his old job.

The Windows Business Group has four components, each led by a vice president.

• A Windows product-marketing team led by Mike Sievert. He formerly reported to Johnson.

• A Windows product-management team led by former security software chief Mike Nash. The group is responsible for pricing, competitive strategy and market intelligence.

• A market-expansion group, looking at opportunities such as emerging markets, led by Will Poole.

• A "software protection and commerce" group led by Joe Peterson will focus on the Windows Genuine Advantage program, software protection and anti-piracy issues.

Brier Dudley: 206-515-5687 or bdudley@seattletimes.com