UPDATE 9/27: Amazon CEO Andy Jassy today confirmed that Panay will join Amazon at the end of October "to lead our Devices & Services business." Panay will report to Jassy, and will work with the outgoing SVP, Dave Limp, over the next two months. (Limp will reportedly take over as CEO of Blue Origin, the aerospace firm started by Amazon co-founder Jeff Bezos.)
Original Story 9/18:Microsoft Chief Product Officer Panos Panay, who helped create the Surface line, is leaving the company, resulting in a management shakeup.
Panay today tweeted the news, saying: “After 19 incredible years at Microsoft, I've decided to turn the page and write the next chapter. I’m forever grateful for my time at Microsoft and the amazing people I had the honor to make products with.”
Panay did not say what he's doing next. But according to Bloomberg, he's going to Amazon to lead the company's devices and Alexa division.
For the past decade, Panay has been the face of Microsoft when introducing new products, including Windows 11 and the company’s push into developing its own Surface tablets and laptops.
Panay was on the team tasked with building the first Surface tablet when he was the general manager for Microsoft’s PC hardware. He was later elevated to Corporate Vice President for devices and then Chief Product Officer in 2018, where he oversaw development of Windows 11.
To replace Panay, Microsoft is tapping a trio of executives to help take over his role, according to an email from Rajesh Jha, the company’s EVP for experiences and devices.
To lead the Windows and Surface business, the company has selected Yusuf Mehdi, the company’s chief marketing officer, who was also visible when introducing the ChatGPT-powered Bing Chat to the public earlier this year.
Meanwhile, Microsoft CVP Pavan Davuluri is going to lead a team focused on building chips, systems, and devices “that span Windows, client and cloud for an AI world.” This team will also focus on Windows planning and release management.
The company is also tapping Mikhail Parakhin, Microsoft’s CEO of advertising and web experiences, to lead a new team focused on blending web, services, Windows, and AI.
In a statement, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella added: “We remain steadfast and convicted in our strategy.” He also thanked Panay for his impact on the company’s products, culture and company over the past two decades.
The news comes ahead of a Microsoft "special event" on Sept. 21, which will likely include some next-gen Surface devices. PCMag will be there, so stay tuned for all the news.