Craig James Mundie was born on July 1, 1949 in Cleveland, Ohio.[1] Mundie holds a bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering (1971) and a master's degree in Information Theory and Computer Science (1972) from Georgia Tech.[citation needed]
In 1970, Mundie began his career as an operating system developer for the Data General Nova computer at Systems Equipment Corporation. SEC was subsequently acquired by Data General Corporation, where Mundie later became director of its advanced development facility in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina.[2] In 1982, he co-founded Alliant Computer Systems, holding a variety of positions there before becoming CEO. Alliant filed for bankruptcy in 1992.[2]
He started at Microsoft in the company's consumer platforms division in 1992, managing the production of Windows CE for hand-held and automotive systems and early console games. In 1997, while at Microsoft Mundie oversaw the acquisition of WebTV Networks. He has championed Microsoft Trustworthy Computing and digital rights management.[citation needed] Starting in 2006, when Bill Gates retired full-time from Microsoft, Mundie and Ray Ozzie split Gates' former duties at the company, with Mundie becoming Microsoft's Chief Research and Strategy Officer. In late 2012, he became Senior Advisor to the CEO, with plans to retire in 2014, at the age of 65.[4]