The man behind the Google+ social network, Vic Gundotra, has announced he is departing the company after eight years. He made the announcement, naturally, on his Google+ page earlier today.
His statement didn't offer any specific reasons behind his decisions to leave Google, but it would seem like Gundotra is departing on good terms. He praised his teammates at Google and CEO Larry Page in particular, stating, " From starting Google I/O, to being responsible for all mobile applications, to creating Google+, none of this would have happened without Larry's encouragement and support."
Gundotra came to Google after previously working at Microsoft from 1991 to 2006. While at Microsoft, Gundotra moved up the ranks and later became General Manager of Platform Evangelism, helping to promote the use of Microsoft's APIs to software developers.
Gundotra's biggest legacy at Google will likely be leading the team that developed and released Google+ in 2011. The social network was thought at first to be a major competitor to Facebook and Twitter but since its launch its user numbers have not come close to those of its rivals; Gundotra didn't state where he will be working after he leaves Google. Dave Besbris, the vice president of engineering on the Google+ team, will take over Gundotra's responsibilities.
Source: Google+ | Image via Vic Gundotra
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