- Sources tell Kara Swisher Ford (NYSE:F) CEO and Steve Ballmer confidante Alan Mulally "has vaulted to the forefront" of the list of potential candidates to succeed Ballmer as Microsoft's (NASDAQ:MSFT) CEO.
- Though Stephen Elop (set to join Microsoft through the Nokia deal) is still reportedly a top candidate, Swisher's sources claim there has "been a shift in recent weeks toward Mulally," who has shown a knack for corporate turnarounds during his time at Ford and Boeing (but hasn't worked for a tech company).
- Mulally reportedly advised Ballmer on Microsoft's big reorg (I, II).
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