Tech Moves: Microsoft execs are leaving; TerraClear, UserTesting, EchoMark and Read AI add leaders

– Joy Chik announced his retirement Microsoft in July after almost thirty years. His eight roles there ranged from software design engineer to his current title: president of proprietary and network access.

“I’m excited to expand my public company board work while also building new muscle in the startup, angel investment, and venture spaces, partnering with founders and leadership teams as they grow,” Chik said on LinkedIn.

He has already launched a podcast called Times of Knowing where he shared thoughts about his professional transition “and the beginning of a new era.”

– Bobby Hollis, MicrosoftA vice president of energy, he left the company after three years to take on an undisclosed new role. “Energy and technology have never been more important, and it’s critical that we get this right,” Hollis said on LinkedIn. “I will not leave the conversation. I will be doing it in a different hat.”

Before Microsoft, Hollis was at data center company Rowan Digital Infrastructure. Previous roles include head of development at Bill Gates-backed Breakthrough Energy and Facebook’s head of global energy, environment and sourcing.

– A robotic ag-tech company TerraClear name it Eric Rombokas as director of robotics and hardware. The startup, based in Issaquah, Wash., and Grangeville, Idaho, is developing technology that automatically identifies and removes rocks and weeds from farmers’ fields. TerraClear is 83 on the GeekWire 200 index of the Pacific Northwest’s top startups.

Rombokas is from Ohio’s Cornerstone Research Group and holds adjunct professorships at the University of Washington in both mechanical engineering and electrical and computer engineering.

“Eric is a rare talent who bridges the gap between basic robotics research and real-world deployments,” said TerraClear CEO Devin Lammers.

– Neal Gottsacker named chief technology officer UserTestingBellevue, Wash.-based company. connecting businesses with a global network of in-demand user experience research testers. Gottsacker, who will work remotely, previously served as chief product officer at workflow automation company Nintex.

“As AI reshapes how teams build and innovate, the real difference will be the ability to connect powerful models with real human signals at scale,” he said on LinkedIn.

– EchoMarkA Bellevue startup that uses digital watermarking and forensics to trace the source of leaks and data breaches, has added two hires to its leadership team:

• Manisha Powar lead the product in the beginning. He joins from Qualtrics, where he was VP and head of product for the Customer Experience Suite, the company’s largest business line. Prior to that, Powar was at Facebook for less than two years and spent nearly 17 years at Microsoft, leaving as PM for Windows Storefronts in 2017.
• Pete Daderko leading in product marketing. He previously served as an executive director at Microsoft, and was previously a US Navy submarine officer and engagement manager at McKinsey.

– Matt Gamboa he is now the chief product manager of Learn AIa Seattle startup that sells business productivity software tools using productivity AI. “After two years of resets and necessary evaluations, I’m back,” he said on LinkedIn. Gamboa is also the founder of CertifyIQ, an educational technology startup for skilled trades. He has previously held management roles at Nomad Health, Expedia Group and Rover.

Read AI is 16 in the GeekWire 200 index of the Pacific Northwest’s top startups.

– Ken Bowman he is now chief revenue officer FruitScout. A Seattle ag-tech startup uses AI to monitor plant growth, with a current focus on agave — which pinpoints the optimal time to harvest the tequila-producing plant.

“By using phones already in workers’ pockets to create digital twins for entire plants, combined with drone imaging to drive cost-effective, responsive operations, we’re bringing Industry 4.0 to the field,” Bowman said on LinkedIn.

–Luli Chaluleu switch to AmazonPXT (People Experience and Technology) vice president of North American operations. Chaluleu has worked with the Seattle-area tech giant for nearly 14 years and was previously VP of HR.

– Thomas Dohmkeformer CEO of GitHubhas joined the board of directors Deutsche Telekom Groupthe parent company of T-Mobile. Deutsche Telekom “has touched the foundation of my life many times,” Dohmke said on LinkedIn, starting with an internship in Berlin in the 1990s.

Dohmke spent more than three years as a Microsoft executive before moving to leadership roles at GitHub following Microsoft’s acquisition of the code hosting and collaboration platform. He served as CEO of GitHub for nearly four years, stepping down in September.

– Steve Schuster he retires Amazon after more than 12 years with the company, most recently as vice president of security operations and engineering in the tech giant’s Washington, DC, offices. He has worked in information security leadership at Cornell University.

– Frazier Healthcare Partnersthe Seattle-based investment firm, has announced several promotions and new hires:

• Andrew Wu he was promoted to the position of vice president.
• Daniel Ewnetu again Luke Ostrander promoted to a senior position in the investment team.
• Carol Eckert promoted to senior VP of investor relations.
• Mike Gawlik joins Frazier as VP and will be based in the firm’s new New York office.