President, Microsoft Corp. (last year No. 1 with Gates and
Myhrvold) NET WORTH $10.7 billion AGE 42 ADDRESSwww.microsoft.com BIO Ballmer is notorious in the technology
industry for his blunt, aggressive style. He is known for his
high decibel level over the phone and his "high bandwidth"
relationship with his boss, Bill Gates. While Gates is more
visible, Ballmer's influence is apparent in everything Microsoft
does. He is the behind-the-scenes tactician, the arm twister and
deal closer. The circumstances of how he met Gates are well worth
keeping in mind: both were at Harvard in the 1970s when they went
to the movies to see the male predatory classic, A Clockwork
Orange. 1998 POWER PLAY Since Gates hired him in 1980 to help
with the business side of his 30-person software start-up,
Ballmer has been Microsoft's sergeant at arms. That position was
formally recognized in July when Ballmer was named Microsoft's
president and heir apparent. His appointment comes at a
tumultuous time. Because of antitrust proceedings, Microsoft has
been trying to at least look as if it's playing nice for the
Department of Justice. But the promotion of Microsoft's No. 1
bulldog was seen by some as a curious PR move. PLACE YOUR BETS Microsoft stock isn't a bad addition to any portfolio. For more
see No. 1, Bill Gates.
