Top Microsoft online strategy exec replaces Scott Kriens as Juniper Networks CEO

Kevin Johnson -- a top Microsoft Corp. executive responsible for online strategy who led the company's failed attempt to buy Yahoo Inc. -- was named the new chief executive at Juniper Networks Inc., replacing Scott Kriens.

Sunnyvale-based Juniper (NASDAQ:JNPR) said on Thursday that Johnson will also be appointed to the board of directors but Kriens will continue as chairman of the board and "will remain active in the areas of strategy and leadership development." Juniper did not give a reason for Kriens stepping down from the chief executive chair.

"The first 12 years at Juniper have been the most rewarding years of my professional life and I am incredibly proud of what we have accomplished together," said Kriens. "We are very excited to welcome Kevin as our new CEO. He is a world-class executive, and a person whose values align exactly with the culture upon which Juniper has been built. I look forward to working closely with Kevin in the years to come as we continue to build on Juniper's success."

Content Continues Below

Johnson, 47, most recently led Redmond, Wash.-based Microsoft's (NASDAQ:MSFT) Platforms & Services Division, an organization of over 14,000 employees with responsibility for product development, marketing and strategy for the Windows and Online Services businesses.

In addition to leading the Windows business, Johnson focused on building Microsoft's position in online advertising and evolving its "software + services" strategy.

Microsoft announced Johnson's departure Thursday and said it is splitting the division that Johnson headed, platforms and services, into two separate units, Windows/Windows Live and online services. Both will both report directly to CEO Steve Ballmer.

"This new structure will give us more agility and focus in two very competitive arenas," Ballmer said in a statement. "It has been a pleasure to work with Kevin, and we wish him well in the future."

Johnson's departure comes on the heels of Microsoft's failed bid to buy or team up with Sunnyvale-based Yahoo Inc. (NASDAQ:YHOO).

Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) had sought to acquire Yahoo to build share in the online search market dominated by Mountain View-based Google Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOG) Yahoo rejected Microsoft's offer, which was initially valued at $44 billion.