Windows Executive Brad Brooks Leaving Microsoft for Juniper (With the Internal Memo)

Brad Brooks, a vice president in Microsoft’s Windows unit, is leaving the company to join Juniper Networks, where he’ll serve as vice president of enterprise marketing. The move reunites Brooks with Juniper CEO Kevin Johnson, who had been president of the Windows and Windows Live unit at Microsoft before also jumping to Juniper.

A Microsoft representative said the company had no immediate comment on who would fill Brooks’ shoes. A source says they are still figuring that one out. Brooks’ departure is the latest in a string of departures, including last week’s announcement that Server and Tools unit President Bob Muglia would leave the company this summer.

Here’s a copy of Brooks’s memo to the Windows team:

“Well done is better than well said” – Ben Franklin

This quote says so much about the Windows team and my last 9 incredible years here at Microsoft.

We did so much together.

We touched billions of customers with our messages. We launched amazing products. We have changed the world, and most importantly, we have delivered results.

Whether it was by creating vision and curiosity in the marketplace with Media Center; or turning a declining $900M Windows SA business into a $3B pillar of the enterprise value proposition; or dreaming about what a Microsoft retail experience could be and seeing the company make it a reality; or reinventing how we talk and touch consumers with our marketing and advertising; or how to just plain launching a darn good product into the world – Microsoft style – with Windows 7. We let our actions speak for us, not our words.

We did so much together.

My message here to you is really about “we” and not “me.” There are no self-made people in this world. My incredible journey has been because of you — the team, the Windows team, the Microsoft team. We have overcome some of the toughest challenges in the business, and certainly we continue to be engaged in some of the fiercest competitive battles Windows has ever faced; but we have also never been better positioned with current product, future road map, leadership and people talent to win these battles in the 9 years I have been here.

Microsoft is a family in its own right, and it has also grown to become a part of my family in so many ways. I can fly into any city in the world and say that I have a Microsoft friend close by that I can call on. That is truly special and amazing.

But, after a lot of difficult thought, I’ve decided to make a change. These are your battles now, I’ve got new battles to go fight with Juniper Networks (and as you know I have the most fun when the competitive fight is on) and my new adventure will give me plenty of opportunity to have “fun.”

I will be around through February 4th working on transition and providing my best and last advice and counsel on the Windows business. My door will be open if you want to come by and talk about anything.

We did so much together, the journey has been incredible and for that I can only say – Thank you!

Good-bye for now,
-Brad