Microsoft Israel founder Arie Scope will leave the company at the end of the year, after 17 years. In January 2005, he transfered management to Danny Yamin and became chairman of the company.
“I concluded that I am fulfilled,” said Scope. “I saw that the company was transferred properly to Danny Yamin, and I see no reason to stay on in the job another year. I originally planned to announcement my retirement during October, but because Bill Gates in visiting Israel, I preferred to announce my retirement now, because I didn’t want to cause speculation of a connection between his visit and my retirement.”
Scope said he was now writing a book about high-tech management. He was recently appointed professor at the Shenkar School of Engineering and Design, and is active in many community NGOs. He also plans to join the boards of start-ups.
Scope founded Microsoft Israel in 1989. The company initially had three employees, including the general manager. Microsoft Israel now has 480 employees, including 220 professionals in Ra’anana, 200 at its Haifa development center, and 60 at MSN Israel. The company posted $130 million in revenue in 2004.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes.co.il - on August 18, 2005