Microsoft names new HR head

Microsoft on Friday said that company veteran Lisa Brummel will be its new corporate vice president for human resources. Brummel, who has looked after the software maker's home and retail division for the last 10 years, takes the place of Ken DiPietro, who held the position for the last two years.

The Redmond, Wash.-based software giant has employed Brummel for 15 years. The 45-year-old has also been a product unit manager in the Microsoft's Kids business and in the Desktop and Decision reference units. "As an intellectual property company, we feel that HR is vital to recruiting and developing great people," Brummel said in a statement.