SAN FRANCISCO (01/27/2000) - Microsoft Corp. today announced the addition of an eighth member to its board of directors, former U.S. Secretary of Labor Ann McLaughlin.
"We are excited to have Ann join the board because of her unique expertise as a thoughtful leader on important issues impacting business and society," said Bill Gates, Microsoft chairman of the board and chief software architect, in a company statement issued today.
McLaughlin is currently chairman of international nonprofit educational organization the Aspen Institute, a role she's held since 1996. The institute acts as a forum for discussions on communication and information policy.
Her experience in government and business is likely to be of assistance to the Microsoft board, Gates said in today's statement. The software giant is currently facing off against the U.S. government in a long-running antitrust trial.
McLaughlin was U.S. Secretary of Labor from 1987 to 1989 and was appointed by then-U.S. President Ronald Reagan.
She will join the existing seven members of the Microsoft board who include Gates, Microsoft Chief Executive Officer and President Steve Ballmer and Microsoft Co-founder Paul Allen, who is also chairman of the board of Vulcan Northwest Inc.
Microsoft, in Redmond, Washington, can be reached at +1-425-882-8080 or at http://www.microsoft.com/.