Longtime Xbox Executive Albert Penello Leaves Microsoft

Moving Forward After 18 Years

After 18 years, Microsoft’s senior director of marketing for Xbox Albert Penello has left the company. Panello made the announcement via Twitter yesterday, calling his time at the Microsoft a “once in a lifetime experience.”

Penello was the driving force behind Microsoft’s marketing plans for the Xbox, Xbox 360, and Kinect. His most recent role at the company was leading the strategic marketing and planning for every Xbox device. Dozens of people wished Penello well on Twitter, including Microsoft’s executive vice president Phil Spencer.

Penello also posted a longer goodbye message on Facebook, which can be viewed below.

“Well, it’s hard to believe I’m posting this, but after almost 18 years I made the decision to leave Microsoft. There aren’t the words to describe how much Xbox has meant to me, but even more important are all the amazing people I got to work with.

I’m going to miss seeing these people every day, and there will never be another time in my career as monumental as what I got to be a part of.

But – it’s time for a change. Time to learn new things and challenge myself again. I’m excited about my new opportunity and I’ll be talking more about that soon. In the meantime, I’m going to take a few weeks off to recharge before I start the new job, and reflect a lot on the amazing time I’ve had at Xbox.”

SOURCEÂ