Microsoft Corp. today announced that Joe Pagano has accepted the role of Managing Director of Banking and Capital Markets in the Worldwide Financial Services Industry Group. Joe will report to Susan Hauser, vice president, Worldwide Financial Services, effective December 2, 2009.

In his 15th year at Microsoft, Joe has more than 22 years of experience in information technology, financial services industry and worldwide business leadership roles. As the services sales leader in the New York metro area most recently, Joe managed the sales team for strategic Global Financial Services accounts which included JPMorgan Chase, Citicorp, Morgan Stanley, Bank of New York, Barclays, Credit Suisse, NYSE, Nasdaq, Merrill Lynch (now Bank of America) and the Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation.

Prior to joining Microsoft in 1995, Joe was responsible for evangelizing and initiating the use of Microsoft Windows software and development environments in the financial services, retail, and international shipping industries. His early adoption of Windows enterprise solutions at a world leading payroll provider, and his engagement with PC industry leadership at the time helped validate the Windows platform for broad commercial development. Throughout his career, Joe has been responsible for delivering industry solutions to address enterprise client needs.

Susan Hauser commented: “Joe brings to his new leadership role a great depth of experience in aligning our solutions with industry business needs and developing strong IT and business management relationships with our financial services customers. During Joe’s tenure at Microsoft, he helped deploy the first Global Services Executive (GSE) roles and his team achieved unprecedented customer services results in delivering industry solutions for Citicorp and JPMorgan Chase. He also demonstrated thought leadership in the current economic downturn by developing and implementing a mergers and acquisitions services strategy for financial services clients that helped launch our M&A technical community.”

Joe lives in northern New Jersey with his wife Tracey and two daughters Julia (12) and Grace (9). In his spare time Joe supports the local school systems in North Caldwell with software grants and knowledge transfer, loves to read Investor’s Business Daily, and contributes time to the non-profit group NPower. Joe also composes music for fun and is an associate member of the Grammy’s Recording Academy.