> Microsoft's first CEO is still chairman
Bill Gates is no longer the chairman of Microsoft. He stepped down in 2014 to concentrate on the Gates Foundation.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft (see "Key people" in the sidebar)
He does still have a regular (i.e. not the chairmanship) board seat though, "non-independent" like Nadella.
> Microsoft's first CEO is still chairman and helping lead the company even from the sidelines
It'd be super awkward if TJ Watson was still leading IBM from the sidelines.
IBM has been doing a lot to go out of business.
Microsoft's first CEO is still chairman and helping lead the company even from the sidelines.
IBM is a floating raft of failed leadership.
Microsoft isn't trusted fully by the community but they are making inroads under their new CEO.
IBM has been firing its most senior people in an effort to slow its cash burn and to hire younger folks. IBM also claims it's also to bring on folks with more relevant skills to emerging technologies. I think there is a lawsuit about this.
Anyway, IBM has done nothing in recent years to show they are a true contender.
If the Redhat team is able to pull a Next here and assume leadership roles inside of IBM this could be stellar. Big Blue's formidable sales team and reputation with a great product line overseen by passionate people would be powerful.
If the IBM existing leadership team emerges as the winners here it will likely continue to fade into irrelevance.