Microsoft veteran named new Citrix Systems CEO

Business software company Citrix Systems’ search for a new president and CEO has ended with the appointment of veteran Microsoft executive Kirill Tatarinov.

Tatarinov, 51, joined Microsoft in 2002 and was the executive vice president of the software giant’s business solutions division from July 2007 through July 2015. In that role, according to Citrix, he boosted the division’s profitability, doubled its revenue and led the transition to the cloud.

Tatarinov’s appointment takes effect Monday. He succeeds Robert Calderoni, who has served as interim CEO since October. Calderoni will remain executive chairman of the company’s board of directors.

Calderoni led a committee of board members that conducted the search for a new CEO along with executive search firm Heidrick & Struggles.

In a prepared statement, Calderoni said that “Kirill’s strong product management background and extensive technology leadership experience make him the right person to oversee Citrix’s innovation and growth strategy.”

Mark Templeton, the N.C. State University graduate who led Citrix for well over a decade, announced his retirement from the CEO post in July and stepped down in October.

Citrix’s revenue topped $3 billion in 2014. The company has about 600 employees in Raleigh’s Warehouse District, having established a local presence when it acquired ShareFile for $54 million in 2011.

Last year Citrix instituted two major rounds of layoffs after being pressured to improve its financial performance by activist investor Elliott Management. But fewer than 10 employees in the Raleigh office were affected.

In the latest quarter, ShareFile’s subscription revenue rose nearly 40 percent.

Tatarinov also was named to Citrix’s board, boosting the number of directors to 11.

Tatarinov’s base salary, not including performance-based incentives, was set at $1 million, according to documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. He also was awarded $8.4 million in restricted stock, which will vest in quarterly installments over three years, and is eligible for an additional $15.6 million in stock based on performance.

Citrix shares were trading Thursday at $66.85, up 35 cents.

This story was originally published January 21, 2016 at 10:49 AM with the headline "Microsoft veteran named new Citrix Systems CEO."