Microsoft adds to the top

Microsoft (MSFT) announced a senior management reorganization that will add two senior vice presidents to a newly created executive committee that will govern the company.

Executive Vice Presidents Jim Allchin and Brad Silverberg have been added to the new committee that will replace the existing Office of the President as the company's most senior decision-making body.

Allchin and Silverberg will also have increased responsibilities. Allchin will head the personal and business systems group, which includes the company's operating systems and server applications. Silverberg will lead the desktop applications and Internet client group, which includes desktop applications, Internet client and collaboration software, development tools, Web authoring products, and developer relations.

Newly hired Vice President Paul Gross, who comes over from Borland International (BORL), will take over management of the development tools group when he arrives early next year.

Allchin and Silverberg join Steve Ballmer, Bill Gates, Bob Herbold, Pete Higgins, Paul Maritz, Nathan Myhrvold, and Jeff Raikes on the executive committee.