Express Data CEO, David Gage, will be leaving the distributor after 15 years to take on a role with Microsoft.
Gage became the distributor's CEO in April 2011, taking over from Ross Cochrane.
His last day will be November 15 and the search is now on for a replacement.
Prior to his CEO position, Gage was involved in regional management roles as well as being the founding manager of Express Online, which later became a subsidiary of Express Data. Across Express Data, Express Online and Dimension Data, Gage has clocked up 15 years.
Gage told ARN an opportunity came up at Microsoft, but it wasn't a decision he made lightly.
"I have loved every minute that I've been here, the culture, people and there was an amazing opportunity I felt I wanted to take on," Gage said. "The executive team here has been with us for a long period of time and between them they've got about 60 years specific industry experience and they're very capable of running the business in the interim until the appointment of another CEO."
Gage reflected on working with some amazing people during his time at Express Data, looking up to his mentors, Jon Shein and Ross Cochrane.
"They're industry legends. I thought you would be lucky if you got to work with one person like that, but to have worked with both of them has been a real privilege," he said. "Distribution has been a tough business, but you learn an incredible amount, being a low-margin business means there's very little margin for error.
"During the 15 years, I've built up a lot of business acumen as a result and I've had amazing exposure to the Australian channel."
Prior to joining Express Data, Gage worked for 3M spin-off, Imation for three years and has also worked in fast moving consumer goods.
At Microsoft, Gage will be taking on Evan Williams’ role on November 18 as small and midmarket solutions and partner group director, reporting to managing director, Pip Marlow.
In a statement, Microsoft said Gage was the ideal candidate to lead its small and midmarket solutions and partner business given his strong background in senior management positions for Microsoft partners and distributors.
Williams will be moving on as the Windows business group leader. He has spent three and a half years with Microsoft and racked up more than 20 year's experience working for Dell and IBM.
"This makes him the perfect fit to lead the Windows business as we continue to transform around our devices and services strategy," Microsoft said.
