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Bradford L. Smith

Vice Chair and President at MICROSOFT
Board
Since September 2021
Age
65 years
Tenure
Joined Microsoft in 1993 and advanced through roles including Deputy General Counsel for Worldwide Sales, overseer of the European Law and Corporate Affairs Group, Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary, Chief Compliance Officer, Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary, and President and Chief Legal Officer before being appointed Vice Chair and President in September 2021.

About

Bradford L. Smith has built a distinguished career at Microsoft beginning in 1993, where he initially served as Deputy General Counsel for Worldwide Sales and managed the European Law and Corporate Affairs Group. His early contributions set the stage for a rapid progression through the ranks, culminating in leadership positions that shaped the company's legal and compliance strategies.

Over the years, his roles expanded to include Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary, and later Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary. In 2002, he was named Chief Compliance Officer, further emphasizing his commitment to robust regulatory and legal frameworks within the organization.

His appointment as President and Chief Legal Officer in 2015 marked a significant milestone, reflecting his deep understanding of Microsoft’s strategic initiatives. In September 2021, he transitioned into his current role as Vice Chair and President, continuing to influence critical areas such as corporate governance, cybersecurity, AI policy, and environmental sustainability.

Beyond his corporate responsibilities, he contributes to the industry as a board member of Netflix, Inc., demonstrating a broader commitment to leadership and governance in the technology sector.

Past Roles

Organization Role Date Range Details
Microsoft President and Chief Legal Officer Sept 2015 - Sept 2021 Held role before appointment as Vice Chair and President
Microsoft Executive Vice President, General Counsel, and Secretary 2011 - 2015 N/A
Microsoft Senior Vice President, General Counsel, and Secretary 2001 - 2011 N/A
Microsoft Chief Compliance Officer 2002 N/A
Microsoft Deputy General Counsel for Worldwide Sales Prior to 2001 N/A
Microsoft Manager of the European Law and Corporate Affairs Group Prior to 2001 Based in Paris

Fixed Compensation

Data from  FY 2024
Component NameAmountPayment ScheduleAdditional Details
Salary$1,000,000 AnnuallyFixed annual base salary
Bonus$0 N/ANo bonus awarded for FY 2024
All Other Compensation$112,868 AnnuallyIncludes Retirement Plan Contributions ($11,500), Broad-Based Plan Benefits ($1,368), and Charitable Gifts ($100,000)

Performance Compensation

Data from  FY 2024

Cash Incentive

MetricValueDetails and Conditions
Weight (Financial)50% Based on achievement against pre-established financial targets for Incentive Plan Revenue and Operating Income
Weight (Operational)50% Based on performance in three weighted operational categories
Threshold$0 Minimum performance level
Target$2,500,000 Target cash incentive opportunity
Maximum$5,000,000 Maximum cash incentive payout
Actual Achievement145.71% of target Financial Results at 138.08% and Operational Results at 153.34% resulting in a payout of $3,642,750
Evaluation PeriodFY 2024 Fiscal year 2024 performance period
Vesting ScheduleN/A Cash incentive is performance-based and does not vest

Stock Awards

ComponentGrant DateGrant Date Fair ValueShares (Target)Vesting ScheduleAdditional Details
Performance Stock Awards (PSAs)Sept 18, 2023 $3,044,423 7,882 shares Vest in full after a 3-year performance period; number of shares earned is based on annual goals and relative TSR Performance metrics based on annual goals and comparison to the S&P 500
Stock Awards (SAs)Sept 18, 2023 $7,628,554 23,646 shares Vest 25% on Aug 31, 2024 and 12.5% every six months thereafter until fully vested Awarded value converted into shares using the closing price on Aug 31, 2023