Bill Hilf
Bill Hilf | |
|---|---|
| Occupation | Technology executive |
| Years active | 1990s–present |
| Known for | CEO of Vale Group (formerly Vulcan Inc.), senior roles at Hewlett-Packard Enterprise and Microsoft |
Bill Hilf serves as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Vale Group, previously known as Vulcan Inc., having assumed the role on December 2, 2016, following Paul Allen's tenure. Prior to his leadership at Vale Group, Hilf was Senior Vice President and General Manager of the Cloud division at Hewlett-Packard Enterprise, where he managed engineering, product strategy, and marketing functions. His career also includes a decade of various executive positions at Microsoft.
IBM
Hilf held the position of senior software architect at IBM, where he contributed significantly to the company's pioneering open-source strategy, establishing IBM as an early adopter and advocate for software that could be freely modified.
Microsoft
In 2004, Hilf joined Microsoft with a focus on enhancing engagement with the open-source community. He was instrumental in advancing Windows Server and played a vital role in the creation of Microsoft Azure. His influence extended to shaping Microsoft's approach to open source, earning him recognition as one of the top 25 most influential figures within the company.
Hewlett-Packard
Hilf became part of HP in 2013, tasked with positioning the firm as a frontrunner in hybrid cloud technology. As senior vice president, he oversaw research and development alongside business operations for HP Cloud. Under his guidance, HPE Helion achieved status as a leader in the private cloud sector for three straight years. After organizational restructuring in 2016, Hilf departed HP to explore new ventures following his success in expanding the cloud business.
Vulcan Inc.
Paul Allen, co-founder of Microsoft, appointed Hilf CEO of Vulcan Inc. in December 2016. In this capacity, Hilf managed a broad portfolio encompassing commercial enterprises and philanthropic programs, including capital investments, real estate projects, climate initiatives, and arts accessibility efforts. The company was renamed Vale Group in 2024.
High Five Hope
While on a Microsoft business trip to the Philippines in 2008, Hilf observed children playing basketball with improvised balls. Drawing from his own experience with basketball, he established High Five Hope, a non-profit organization dedicated to aiding street children through sports programs. Initially centered on basketball, the initiative later broadened to incorporate girls’ volleyball and futkal (street soccer).
Microsoft
During his tenure at Microsoft, Hilf acted as an executive sponsor for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), facilitating the creation of computer laboratories within refugee camps. He also led divisional participation in Microsoft's “Give” campaigns.
Further reading
- — Background of Hilf's creation of High Five Hope