<http://schema.org/articleBody>
"Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer will retire within the next 12 months, depending on when a replacement is found, the company announced early Friday. \n\u201CThere is never a perfect time for this type of transition, but now is the right time,\u201D Ballmer said in a statement. \u201CWe have embarked on a new strategy with a new organization and we have an amazing Senior Leadership Team. My original thoughts on timing would have had my retirement happen in the middle of our company\u2019s transformation to a devices and services company. We need a CEO who will be here longer term for this new direction.\u201D\nSee also: How Microsoft Could Rebrand Itself [PICS]\nMicrosoft said it has appointed a special committee to head up the process of finding a replacement for Ballmer. The company's stock shot up by nearly 9% in pre-market trading following the news.\nThe announcement comes barely one month after Ballmer led a massive reorganization of the company in an attempt to bring all divisions under one unified vision. \nImage: Justin Sullivan/Getty"^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://mashable.com/2013/08/23/steve-ballmer-to-retire/>