Paul Flessner, the Microsoft executive in charge of SQL Server and storage, is stepping back from his day-to-day duties, CRN has learned.

Flessner, senior vice president of the Data Storage and Platform Division, will hand over daily responsibilities to Ted Kummert, a corporate vice president, on Jan. 1, a company spokeswoman confirmed Tuesday afternoon. Flessner has been with the company for 12 years

Insiders were informed of the move in a memo from Bob Muglia, senior vice president of Microsoft's Server and Tools Business, earlier Tuesday.

Flessner's team is responsible for the popular Microsoft SQL Server 2005 database. That year-old offering recently covered itself in glory with SQL Server revenue growing more than 30 percent year over year for the third quarter ended Sept. 30. Server and tools revenue grew 17 percent for that period. Net income for the group rose 36 percent from $608 million to $827 million for the same time period.

Flessner's group also oversees Microsoft's clustering, file and systems storage technologies.

Flessner is stepping back to do projects and spend time with family, the spokeswoman said.

Kummert, a 17-year company veteran, has worked on MSN, e-business efforts and security. His current title is corporate vice president for the Security, Access and Solutions Division, which is within the Server and Tools Business.