Updated: Dec. 9, 2011

Eric Rudder is responsible for a range of Microsoft's technical and policy engagements with governments around the world, key industry partnerships, some of the company's advanced development efforts, and overall technical strategy.

Previously, Rudder served as senior vice president of Servers and Tools, and was also responsible for leading the company's outreach to the developer community. Rudder and his team focused on coordinating the overall programming model for the client and server, creating the best tools for the .NET platform and fostering synergies between Windows and the Windows Server System offerings. In addition, the division evangelizes the extended Microsoft platform through a variety of content offerings including providing effective Web-based training for developers and IT managers.

Prior to leading the Developer and Platform Evangelism division, Rudder was vice president of Technical Strategy working directly with Chairman and then-Chief Software Architect Bill Gates on Microsoft's technical planning processes. He also has worked in several other areas at Microsoft, including networking, operating systems and developer tools, where he previously served as general manager for Visual Studio.

Rudder graduated with honors from Brown University in 1988, and currently lives in Seattle with his wife and two children.