Rick Devenuti retired from Microsoft in February 2007 after 19 years with the company.

In his last position with Microsoft, Rick Devenuti was senior vice president for Microsoft Services and IT. In that role, Devenuti brought IT operational excellence together with Microsoft’s service offerings and programs by transferring internal IT knowledge to Services to enhance customer and partner satisfaction with Microsoft products. Devenuti’s organization worked very closely with Microsoft product groups in testing, deploying and evaluating products before they ship to customers. With the launch of the new IT Fellowship program, Microsoft consultants and partners can now work side by side with Microsoft IT as new technologies are deployed internally.

Previously, Devenuti was chief information officer at Microsoft. During his four-year tenure as CIO, Devenuti established metrics to measure IT value at the company and integrated business processes and business acumen into the IT space, resulting in efficiency gains for end users and cost savings for Microsoft. By building strong business foundations, Devenuti orchestrated a shift in the IT division’s focus from technology deployment to enterprise-wide thought leadership in which Microsoft technological solutions are created and deployed to meet customers’ needs. This cultural change forced a balance between Microsoft being its own first and best customer and running a world-class utility. Managing the tension between these elements while providing solid client service has made IT at Microsoft more client-centered, which is more reminiscent of Microsoft’s enterprise customers.

Before becoming CIO, Devenuti was vice president of Worldwide Operations, where he directed all activities related to Microsoft product information and release management, manufacturing, distribution, and transactions. He was responsible for driving the development of operational competencies and efficiencies. He also drove the blueprint for Microsoft’s manufacturing and distribution outsourcing and turnkey models worldwide.

Devenuti joined Microsoft in December 1987 and focused his career on creating and managing operational excellence. He has held numerous positions on the operations side of Microsoft’s business. Before becoming vice president of Worldwide Operations, he was general manager of North American Operations. In this role he created the operational silo structure for North America, established the Worldwide Programs Group and instituted the Select Licensing program. Other positions Devenuti has held at Microsoft include general manager of Sales Operations, director of Financial Analysis, U.S. controller and retail accounting manager.

Devenuti has a bachelor of arts in business administration from the University of Washington. In his free time he enjoys playing golf, skiing and spending time with his family.