Former Microsoft chief executive officer Steve Ballmer has resigned from the company’s board of directors, reflecting on his decision in a letter to current CEO Satya Nadella.

Posted on Microsoft’s site, Ballmer cites multiple reasons for his resignation from the board, namely a “combination of the Clippers, civic contribution, teaching and study.”

“Given my confidence and the multitude of new commitments I am taking on now, I think it would be impractical for me to continue to serve on the board, and it is best for me to move off,” Ballmer wrote. His letter states his resignation from the board as “effective immediately” and indicates that he intends to continue participating in discussions about Microsoft’s future, given that he holds “more Microsoft shares than anyone other than index funds.”

“I bleed Microsoft — have for 34 years and I always will,” Ballmer stated.

In response, current CEO Satya Nadella thanked Ballmer for his leadership and support. Nadella remained positive in his response, and said that he “[looks] forward to partnering with [Ballmer] as a shareholder.”

Steve Ballmer’s retirement from Microsoft as CEO was announced in August last year. Ford CEO Alan Mulally was tipped to replace him, but Satya Nadella was eventually named successor.

Zorine Te is an associate editor at GameSpot, and you can follow her on Twitter @ztharli
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