Feb. 12, 1997-- Amazon.com Books, earth's biggest bookstore, today announced that Patty Stonesifer has been appointed to its board of directors. Stonesifer, now an independent management consultant whose clients include DreamWorks SKG, left Microsoft in early 1997 as the senior vice president leading the Interactive Media Division. Stonesifer joins Scott Cook, chairman and co-founder of Intuit, as the most recent additions to Amazon.com's board.
"We are thrilled to welcome Patty Stonesifer to the Amazon.com board of directors," said Jeff Bezos. "She brings a rare set of experiences to our board. Her exceptional success using technology to build leading consumer products and services, coupled with her knowledge of publishing, will be of great benefit to Amazon.com. "
Stonesifer joined Microsoft in 1988 as the senior manager of Microsoft Press and quickly rose through the ranks of the company. She became head of Microsoft's Consumer Division in 1993 and led the research, development and marketing of all small business software, home software and computer input devices. In 1996 the Consumer Division merged with the Interactive Media Division, with Stonesifer taking the helm as senior vice president.
Under Stonesifer's management, Microsoft's consumer software product line became the leader in the industry. She also managed Microsoft's investments in new online content and service products, including MSN, the Microsoft Network (msn.com); MSNBC, Microsoft's joint venture with NBC; Slate (slate.com); Expedia (expedia.com), Microsoft's travel site; the Internet Gaming Zone (zone.com); as well as many other announced and unannounced Internet based products.
Stonesifer came to Microsoft from Que Corporation, the leading publisher of books for the computer industry, where she held a variety of positions including Publisher, Editor-in-Chief and Director of Marketing. She graduated from Indiana University in 1982.
Founded by Jeff Bezos in 1994, Amazon.com, Inc. is headquartered in Seattle and is privately held. Amazon.com is the leading interactive retailer on the Web, with the world's largest selection of books. The Internet-only bookstore offers a catalogue of 1.1 million titles, easy-to-search and browse features, e- mail services, Web-based credit card payment and direct shipping to customers. Amazon.com's name pays homage to the Amazon River. Just as the Amazon River is more than six times the size of the next largest river in the world, Amazon.com's catalogue is more than six times the size of the largest conventional bookstore.
Amazon.com is a trademark of Amazon.com, Inc. Microsoft, Encarta, Expedia, Internet Gaming Zone, and MSN are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries. The Microsoft Network is operated by Microsoft Corp. on behalf of Microsoft Network LLC.