William H. (Bill) Gates, 40, is chairman and chief executive officer of Microsoft Corporation, the leading provider of software for personal computers worldwide. With net revenues of $5.94 billion for the fiscal year ending June 1995, Microsoft employs more than 18,000 people in 48 countries. Gates began his career in personal computer software when he started programming at age 13 while a student at the Lakeside School. In 1974, while an undergraduate at Harvard University, he developed BASIC for the first microcomputer, the MITS Altair, which started the era of hobbyist computing. Led by the belief that the personal computer would ultimately be a valuable tool on every office desktop and in every home, Gates formed Microsoft with Paul Allen in 1975 to develop software for personal computers. Gates' early foresight about personal computing and his continuing vision have been central to Microsoft and the software industry. Gates is actively involved in significant operating and strategic decisions at Microsoft and plays an important role in the technical development and management of the company. A significant portion of his day is also devoted to meeting with customers and staying in contact with Microsoft's employees around the world through e-mail. Gates is married and lives in Bellevue, Washington. Gates is interested in biotechnology and sits on the boards of Darwin Molecular and the Icos Corporation. He is an avid reader and enjoys playing golf and bridge. With Gates' leadership, Microsoft's mission is to continually advance and improve software technology, to make it easier and more enjoyable for people to use software. The company is committed to the long term by investing in new technology, state-of-the art projects and new products for the further expansion of personal computing.