Updated: August 13, 2007
Senior Vice President Orlando Ayala co-leads the Unlimited Potential Group at Microsoft Corp. This group is charged with spearheading efforts to close the digital divide by creating new products and programs that will help bring social and economic opportunity to the estimated 5 billion people not yet realizing the benefits of technology. Through the expansion of the Microsoft Unlimited Potential program, the company is renewing and accelerating its long-term commitment to use technology, training and partnerships to transform education, foster local innovation, and enable jobs and opportunities to sustain a continuous cycle of social and economic growth for everyone. Along with Will Poole, corporate vice president for the Unlimited Potential Group, Ayala is working to lead these efforts.
Ayala's appointment in this position continues his tradition of serving in roles for which he has a strong personal passion. He is committed to driving innovative partnerships among Microsoft, governments, nongovernmental organizations and individuals to improve access to technology and education that will offer new ways for individuals, communities and entire countries to realize their potential in the coming years.
Born in Colombia, South America, Ayala earned a bachelor's degree in management information systems before joining NCR in 1981, where he held international assignments, including as sales manager for Mexico, ultimately becoming product and sales manager for Africa, Latin America and the Middle East. He joined Microsoft in 1991 as the senior director of the Latin America region, growing the region from four to nine subsidiaries with a 90 percent increase in revenue over four years. Intercontinental revenue similarly doubled to more than $1 billion when he took on the role of senior vice president of that region. During this period, Ayala opened 33 Microsoft subsidiaries around the world, working with each to establish local needs, goals and presence. Subsequent roles included senior vice president for the South Pacific and Americas region and group vice president of the worldwide Sales, Marketing and Services Group. In the latter position, he led the worldwide strategies, policies and programs that integrate the activities of Microsoft's diverse sales and service partners with the needs of Microsoft customers.
In his most recent role, as the senior vice president of the Small and Midmarket Solutions & Partner Group, he led Microsoft's strategic focus on the rapidly growing market of small and midsize businesses, as well as the extensive channel of sales and services partners. Simultaneously he agreed to take on a unique dual role at Microsoft by serving as the chief operating officer of Microsoft Dynamics, where he was responsible for driving a consistent marketing and services strategy for Microsoft's then-nascent business solutions division.
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Portrait of Microsoft Corporate Vice President, Design and Development, Entertainment and Devices Division J Allard.
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