Who was Microsoft's CEO from 2000 to 2014?

Steve Ballmer was Microsoft’s CEO from 2000 to 2014. He officially succeeded Bill Gates as chief executive officer on January 13, 2000, and remained in the role until February 4, 2014, when Satya Nadella became CEO.

Ballmer joined Microsoft in 1980 after Bill Gates recruited him from Stanford University’s MBA program. He became the company’s 30th employee and held leadership roles across operations, operating-system development, sales, and support. He was promoted to president in 1998, making him Microsoft’s senior business leader before taking over as CEO.

During Ballmer’s tenure, Microsoft expanded strongly in enterprise software and services, and the company’s sales and profits grew substantially. His era also included major moves into hardware, including the Surface tablet, and the acquisition of Nokia’s mobile-phone business. At the same time, Microsoft struggled to keep pace with the rise of smartphones and mobile platforms such as Apple’s iPhone and Google’s Android.

A common mix-up is Bill Gates, who remained Microsoft’s chairman and technology leader around the beginning of Ballmer’s tenure but was no longer CEO after 2000. Ballmer later became the owner of the NBA’s Los Angeles Clippers.