Microsoft Names Amy Hood as its First Female CFO

Microsoft has found a new chief financial officer—Amy Hood will be the first woman ever to serve as CFO at the software maker. She takes over for Peter Klein, who had previously announced his intention to leave the firm.

Janet I. Tu with The Seattle Times reported, “Microsoft has chosen as its new chief financial officer an experienced financial leader who has helped guide two of the company’s biggest revenue-generating divisions. Amy Hood, 41, most recently CFO of the Business division at Microsoft, was named CFO of the entire company Wednesday. Hood is the first woman to hold the position and the appointment makes her the highest-ranking woman at Microsoft. Hood takes on the job immediately, succeeding departing CFO Peter Klein, who will remain until the end of the fiscal year in June to ensure a smooth transition.”

Bloomberg’s Dina Bass revealed, “The search had focused on Hood, finance chief of the business division, and Tami Reller, her counterpart at the Windows unit, according to people with knowledge of the matter.”

The Wall Street Journal’s Steven D. Jones added, “Before joining Microsoft as part of the investor relations group, Ms. Hood worked at Goldman Sachs in various roles, including investment banking and capital markets groups. Analyst Rick Sherlund of Nomura Securities worked at Goldman during the same period, and the two became acquainted. ‘Amy is well-spoken and thoughtful,’ Mr. Sherlund said, adding that she has ‘very high energy.'”

All Things D quoted Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer, who said, “Amy brings the right talents and experiences to the role as we continue to strengthen our focus on devices and services.”