Microsoft Taps New Office Chiefs

The results are in. Former Microsoft Office chief Steven Sinofsky's shoes have been filled -- albeit by two sets of feet -- in Microsoft's Office group.

Company veteran Kurt DelBene will head Microsoft's Office Business Platform Group, covering the SharePoint, Groove and Project efforts. He has been immersed of late in collaboration and information sharing. He joined the company in 1992.

Antoine Leblond will head the Microsoft Office client team and related services. Leblond is another long-timer, joining the company in 1989, with time having worked on Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access and Outlook, all client component parts of the Microsoft Office suite.

Jeff Raikes, president of the Microsoft Business Division, disclosed the news to staff on Wednesday.

DelBene's name is no surprise. He has been very public of late, sharing the stage with Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates at big events, most recently a SharePoint love fest just weeks ago.

The news comes at a critical time. Office 2007 has just hit second beta and the company is rushing to complete it in time for an early 2007 general availability. Former Microsoft Office chief Sinofsky was moved over to the Windows team earlier this year.