Expertise: Operating Systems and Platform. Windows client, server and embedded operating systems, security, virtualization, and software development practices and scheduling.

Before joining Directions, Michael spent ten years at Microsoft and was a program manager for the Windows product line.

Expertise: Sales, Marketing, Legal and Business Affairs. Licensing, sales and marketing, partner strategies and product support.

Prior to joining Directions, Paul was the president of Pica Communications, a content development and consulting service.

Expertise: SQL Server, SharePoint Server, Dynamics applications, product roadmap, and corporate organization.

Prior to joining Directions, Rob led research on advanced developer tools, optimization of cluster applications, and design of network protocols at the University of Oregon.

Expertise: Server and Desktop Applications. Unified communications, Office suite, licensing and support.

Before co-founding Directions in 1992, Rob spent eight years at Microsoft in a variety of roles including application development, developer relations and OEM marketing.

Expertise: SQL Server, SharePoint Server, Windows, and Office for Mac.

Before joining Microsoft, Wes was a product manager at several Austin, TX Internet and security software startups, including Winternals. Prior to that, Wes spent 7 years at Microsoft working in the MSN and the Windows Core OS divisions.

Expertise: Microsoft Organization and Partnering Strategies

Jeff Parker oversees Directions' publishing, briefing, and advisory businesses. Prior to co-founding Directions on Microsoft, Jeff was vice president in the New York City office of investment bank Sonnenblick Goldman.

Expertise: Microsoft Systems management and security offerings.

Before joining Directions, Don managed technology evaluation for Boeing, where he transitioned new technologies into Boeing’s various business units.

Expertise: Online, Consumer, Business and Legal Affairs. Microsoft Online and BPOS, Bing, Windows Live, Windows Phone, entertainment and devices, financial results, and legal affairs.

Prior to joining Directions, Matt was a founding editor of CNET.

Expertise: Developer Tools and Strategy. Visual Studio, Windows Azure platform, Exchange Server, BizTalk Server, Silverlight, programming languages, application programming interfaces, and software development practices.

Before joining Directions, Rob spent 14 years at Microsoft where he designed and managed development for Microsoft technologies including Exchange Server, BizTalk Server, and Xbox Live.