REDMOND, Wash., May 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Microsoft Corp. today announced that Martha Bejar has been named corporate vice president of Communications Sector, effective June 4, 2007. In this role, Bejar will report to Jean-Philippe Courtois, president of Microsoft International. Bejar succeeds Maria Martinez, who became corporate vice president of Worldwide Services for Microsoft in January 2007.

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"We are delighted that Martha has joined Microsoft to drive the Communications Sector business, one of the fastest-growing sectors within the company and one of the most rapidly changing sectors in the economy," Courtois said. "Innovation is at the heart of all we do at Microsoft. As a top telecommunications executive, Martha brings a wealth of experience, the ability to drive and support innovation, and a strong track record of leadership at one of the world's leading communications companies."

Microsoft's Communications Sector works with service and content providers around the globe, addressing the specific needs of wireline and wireless telecommunications companies, cable operators, hosting service providers, and media and entertainment organizations.

As Nortel's president of Caribbean and Latin America (CALA) regions, Bejar reported to Nortel President and CEO Mike Zafirovski, and had responsibility for sales, operations and marketing. Before that, Bejar was responsible for the North American Sales organization in support of the regional operating telecommunications companies in the United States and Canada.

Since joining Nortel in 1989, she held a number of key executive positions, including general manager of voice over IP solutions, general manager of the Network Access Division and general manager responsible for driving sales in the Latin America division. Before joining Nortel, she held numerous technical and commercial positions at BellSouth Corp. and Bell Communications Research.

Bejar holds a bachelor of science degree in industrial engineering from the University of Miami and an MBA from Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. She also is a graduate of the Advanced Management Program at Harvard University Business School.

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