Today, we’re pleased to announce that Jim Hanna will join Microsoft in a newly created role as Director for Datacenter Sustainability.
Jim’s addition to our team is part of our ongoing commitment to strengthen Microsoft’s work to make our data centers more sustainable. As we’ve discussed over the past year, Microsoft is committed to building the most hyperscale public cloud that operates around the world in more regions than anyone else. This focus on growing the cloud means that we are making big investments in our data centers, where we are increasingly focused on sustainability. This includes making smart decisions about the impact of site choice and location, improving efficiency, lessening our environmental impact and powering our data centers with renewable energy.
We are making investments across Microsoft to help us achieve these goals, including working with our utility partners on renewable energy and developing pilot projects that better integrate clean energy into our servers. We are also expanding our strong team of experts focused on these important issues.
Jim joins us from Starbucks, where he served as Director of Environmental Affairs. Over the past decade, he has driven global strategies to address sustainability issues across the company, from the supply chain to energy and water reduction to policy engagements. This experience will be invaluable in his new role, as our data centers now operate in 24 regions globally. Hanna will report to Christian Belady, General Manager, Datacenter Strategy, Planning and Development, and will also work closely with me to address sustainability issues for our data center operations.
I am excited by the energy and experience that Jim brings with him to this role. He will join a strong cross-company team that includes leaders like Brian Janous, Director of Energy Strategy, working with the Microsoft Cloud Infrastructure and Operations (MCIO) team and TJ DiCaprio, Senior Director of Environmental Sustainability on my team.
We see tremendous opportunity for Microsoft and our growing ecosystem of partners to work with governments and organizations globally to leverage the power of cloud, Big Data, mobile and social technologies to accelerate the wave of innovation which will transform society’s understanding of and interaction with our natural environment. We’re looking forward to growing our team and accelerating our progress towards a more sustainable future for every person and organization on the planet.