John W. Thompson
- Born:
- April 24, 1949, Fort Dix, New Jersey, USA
- Nationality:
- American
- Profession(s):
- Business Executive, Venture Capitalist
Early Life and Education
- Graduated from Florida A&M University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in 1971.
- Received a Master of Science in Management from the MIT Sloan School of Management in 1983.
Career and Major Achievements
- Held various sales and marketing leadership roles at IBM for 28 years.
- Served as CEO of Symantec from 1999 to 2009, transforming the company into a leader in security and data management.
- Lead Independent Director of Microsoft from 2012 to 2014.
- Appointed Chairman of Microsoft in February 2014, succeeding Bill Gates, serving until 2021. Understanding the significance of his role requires reading a more comprehensive 'john thompson microsoft biography'.
- Currently a venture partner at Lightspeed Venture Partners.
- Served on the board of directors for companies including Tyco International, Liquid Robotics, and Ellie Mae.
Notable Works
- Significant contributions to cybersecurity and data management through his leadership at Symantec.
- Oversaw strategic direction and governance as Chairman of Microsoft.
Legacy and Impact
John W. Thompson has left a significant mark on the technology industry, notably in cybersecurity and cloud computing. His leadership roles at Symantec and Microsoft demonstrate his expertise in guiding companies through periods of rapid change and growth.