Juniper names Microsoft exec Johnson as CEO

By Ritsuko Ando

NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. communications equipment maker Juniper Networks Inc JNPR.O named senior Microsoft veteran Kevin Johnson as its new chief executive, saying he will start work in September.

Johnson, 47, replaces Scott Kriens, who had led the company for 12 years and will continue as chairman of Juniper's board, the company said.

Known as "KJ," Johnson was president of Microsoft's Platforms and Services Division, its largest business unit, and had spearheaded the software maker's failed pursuit of Yahoo Inc (YHOO.O).

Microsoft announced Johnson's departure on Wednesday, alongside a reorganization that split the division into two: one focused on the dominant Windows operating system and the other focused on its lagging online business.

Juniper said Johnson was chosen while the company was searching for a chief operating officer, after Stephen Elop left in January to head Microsoft's business division. The decision by Juniper's board, including Kriens, to appoint Johnson as CEO was unanimous, said spokeswoman Sarah Sorensen.

She also said it would be up to Johnson to determine the still-vacant COO position.

Juniper makes most of its revenue from selling high-performance routers to communications service providers. Earlier this year, it expanded into the market for ethernet switches, which direct traffic on corporate data networks, moving into more direct competition with bigger rival Cisco Systems Inc (CSCO.O).

Sorensen said Kriens, 50, would remain active in Juniper and oversee leadership development programs.