Express Data CEO departs to Microsoft

Stalwart Express Data chief executive officer David Gage has taken a role with Microsoft, ending a 15 year career in the IT channel. 

Gage departs for Microsoft in mid-November to become Microsoft’s Small and Midmarket Solutions and Partners (SMS&P) director.

Microsoft said in a statement to CRN that "David was the ideal candidate to lead the SMS&P business given his strong background in senior management positions for Microsoft partners and distributors."

Gage replaces Evan Williams in the role who will continue to work for Microsoft as the Windows business group lead, a position previously held by Tina Flammer, who has been named as the lead for the Surface Business Group.

Gage will report directly to Microsoft Australia managing director Pip Marlow.

Gage has been the CEO of Express Data since April 2011, and prior to that spent 15 years working for the Dimension Data group.

He will finish up at Express Data on the 15th November - a decision he said was the hardest decision he’d ever made in his career.

“I’ve loved every minute of it,” he told CRN. 

“I love the business, I love the culture, I’ve got incredible friends who are like family to me. It’s a massive decision for me to move to Microsoft, but at the same time I’m incredibly excited about the opportunity. I think I can make a positive contribution, given the experience I’ve had across the channel.

“Microsoft is certainly a fantastic organisation, it’s a great position, and I believe in their strategy and I think they’ve got a great period ahead.”

Express Data has not yet made a replacement appointment for Gage. The distributor’s executive team will run the business while a hunt is underway.