Microsoft Names New Worldwide Public Sector Chief

Zecher will report to Jean-Philippe Courtois, Microsoft International president, and lead a team of more than 1,900 Microsoft sales and marketing employees devoted to government, education and health-care markets. Zecher replaces Gerri Elliott, who officially exited Microsoft at the end of December.

"Microsoft is firmly committed to helping our public sector customers meet the ever-growing demand for citizen services and find new efficiencies in the current economic environment," Zecher said in a statement. "We will continue to work closely with government leaders, civil servants, educators and health professionals worldwide in developing innovative solutions, programs and partnerships to promote economic and social development."

Zecher joined Microsoft in 2003 and before that was an executive at Texas Instruments, Bank of America and PeopleSoft. She was also a senior vice president in public sector markets for Oracle, and CEO of Evolve.

According to her biography, Zecher serves on the U.S. State Department's Board of Directors for Overseas Schools, the Ohio State University's Digital Union Advisory Committee, the Virginia Piedmont Technology Council and the Intelligence National Security Association.

"With years of experience working in close partnership with public sector organizations, Linda fully understands how the strategic use of technology can help drive efficiencies in government, empower citizens and stimulate economic growth, and we are pleased that she's now sharing her wealth of expertise around the world," said Courtois in a statement.