Microsoft COO Kevin Turner to speak at UNL Sept. 14

Kevin Turner, Chief Operating Officer of Microsoft Corporation, will talk Sept. 14 to students at the J.D. Edwards Honors Program in Computer Science and Management at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. His talk, "Being a Leader," which is free and open to the public, is from 10 to 11 a.m. at the Kauffman Residential Center at UNL.

As Microsoft's Chief Operating Officer, Kevin Turner is responsible for the strategic and operational leadership of Microsoft's worldwide sales, marketing, and services organization. Turner leads a global organization of more than 38,000 employees, including field sales and marketing professionals who delivered over $51 billion in revenue during fiscal 2007. In addition to driving sales and marketing programs, Turner manages corporate support organizations, including product and customer support services, branding, advertising, public relations, marketing research, relationship marketing and Turner also oversees corporate operations and internal Information Technology that support the work of Microsoft's 70,000-plus employees around the world.

Along with Bill Gates, Steve Ballmer and five other senior executives, Turner serves on the Senior Leadership Team that sets the overall strategy and direction for Microsoft.

Before Microsoft, Turner worked nearly 20 years at Wal-Mart Stores Inc., where he started as a cashier while going to college. Upon graduating from college, he held various leadership positions in Wal-Mart, including most recently as president and chief executive officer of Sam's Clubs. Before this role, Turner worked 13 years in the IT department, where achieved the level of executive vice president and chief information officer for Wal-Mart Stores Inc., in which he oversaw all information systems and IT operations for the company worldwide.

In 1995 at the age of 29, Turner became the youngest corporate officer ever named at Wal-Mart, and in 1997, while having worldwide responsibility for all Application Development and Support at Wal-Mart, Turner became the recipient of the first "Sam M. Walton - Entrepreneur Of The Year" Award, which is the highest honor given at Wal-Mart and is voted on by the Walton Family.

Turner graduated in 1987 from East Central University in Ada, Okla., with a bachelor's degree in management where he was also the Distinguished Alumnus in 2003. Turner lives in Hunts Point, Wash.

The J.D. Edwards program is a recognized leader in interdisciplinary computer science and business management education. It provides an education balanced in technology and management while developing professional skills in leadership, communications and collaboration. Graduates, who are the most highly sought-after in the field, create innovative technologies for business, manage technical development, lead and manage technologists, manage with technology-based processes, understand technology market opportunities, understand the strategic uses of technology, and bridge the gap between technology and business perspectives.

National speakers and members of their corporate executive board visit several times a year to share their experiences with the students. Students attending Sept. 14 can enter a drawing to win a Zune digital media player.

Contact:Lori McClurg, operations director, J.D. Edwards, (402) 472-9097