After 45 years on Microsoft board, co-founder Bill Gates steps down. Gates served as chairman of Microsoft’s board of directors until early in 2014 and has now stepped away entirely. Microsoft announced that co-founder Bill Gates has left its board of directors to devote more time to philanthropy. The 64-year-old stopped being involved in day-to-day operations at the firm more than a decade ago, turning his attention to the foundation named after him and his wife, Melinda.
Reportedly, Gates served as chairman of Microsoft’s board of directors until early in 2014 and has now stepped away entirely, according to the Redmond-based technology giant. Gates left his CEO position in 2000, handing the company reins to Steve Ballmer to devote more time to his charitable foundation. He gave up the role of chairman at the same time Nadella became Microsoft’s third CEO in 2014.
