Microsoft announced today it's appointed John W. Thompson, chief executive officer of San Jose-based Virtual Instruments and former chairman and CEO of Symantec Corp., to the company's board of directors.

"John brings a wealth of experience, from enterprise customers to individual consumers, as well as the insights that come from running a successful large global software company and a fast-emerging startup. He will be a great addition to our board," Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer said in a news release.

"I am honored to join the Microsoft board and work with this exceptional team," Thompson said in the release. "Microsoft has been a leader across the entire information technology landscape for decades, and I look forward to sharing my experiences and contributing to the future direction and growth of this global leader."

Thompson also serves on the board of United Parcel Service.

The Microsoft board, headed by Chairman Bill Gates, has 10 members. In addition to Gates, Ballmer and now Thompson, they include: Dina Dublon, former chief financial officer of JPMorgan Chase; Raymond V. Gilmartin, former chairman, president and CEO of Merck & Co. Inc.; Reed Hastings, founder, chairman and CEO of Netflix Inc.; Dr. Maria M. Klawe, president, Harvey Mudd College; David F. Marquardt, general partner at August Capital; Charles H. Noski, vice chairman of Bank of America Corp.; and Dr. Helmut G. W. Panke, former chairman of the board of management at BMW AG.

(Photo of John W. Thompson from Microsoft)