Google+ Head Vic Gundotra Departing From Google After 8 Years

Google+ senior vice president Vivek "Vic" Gundotra, the creative mind behind Google Plus social network is stepping down from the company after 8 successful year. Gundotra announced his departure news on his Google+ page where he cherished the time and years he have worked with Google and considers his 8 years as the best days of his life. Google spokesperson confirmed the departure and CEO Larry page also sent out news to staff members about Gundotra departure. According to Re/code, VP of Engineering David Besbris will replace Gundotra and will lead Google Plus social network as a chief with his previous services side by side. Below is the official statement from Vic Gundotra which he shared on his Google+ page.

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Last month, my wife's uncle died in a tragic accident in LA when the bicycle he was using to get lunch was hit by a truck. At the memorial service his daughter relayed a very touching story.

She said her dad (who was her best friend) called every day to talk. But instead of opening the call with the customary "How are you" or "What's going on", her dad always opened the conversation with "And then?" Her father viewed each conversation as a continuation of the last, and what pained her the most was that there were to be no more "and thens". I cried. 

Since then I've thought a lot about how similar this is to our life's endeavors. We pour our heart and soul into our work and it becomes something we love and cherish. But even the challenges we work on today will one day become "and thens" as we move on to the next. 

Today I'm announcing my departure from Google after almost 8 years.
I have been incredibly fortunate to work with the amazing people of Google. I don't believe there is a more talented and passionate collection of people anywhere else. And I'm overwhelmed when I think about the leadership of +Larry Page and what he empowered me to do while at Google. 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. 

I'm also forever in debt to the Google+ team. This is a group of people who built social at Google against the skepticism of so many. The growth of active users is staggering, and speaks to the work of this team. But it doesn't tell you what kind of people they are. They are invincible dreamers. I love them. And I will miss them dearly. 

Finally, thank you to all those who I've met on Google+. The community here has been so supportive that I don't even know how to say thank you. You all make Google+. Without you, this social network wouldn't exist. Your support for Google+, and for me personally is something I will never forget. 

But, now is the time for a new journey. A continuation. An "and then". I am excited about what's next. But this isn't the day to talk about that. This is a day to celebrate the past 8 years. To cry. And smile. And to look forward to the journey yet to come.

Professional Life Of Vivek 'Vic' Gundotra

Vivek 'Vic' Gundotra was born in Mumbai,India on June 14 , 1968. Before joining Google in 2007, Gundotra use to work at Microsoft. He joined Microsoft in 1991 and eventually became General manager of Platform Evangelism. His duties at Microsoft includes, 

• Promoting Microsoft's APIs and platforms to independent developers.
• Helping developers to develop a strategy for Windows Live online services to compete with Google web based software applications. 

In 2006, He resigned from Microsoft and took a one year gap. In his one year delay he worked at charities endeavors, due to Microsoft employee non compete agreement . In 2007 , his journey was started in Google where he became the Vice president of Google +. 

Awards And Recognition

In 2003, Gundotra was named in the MIT Technology Review TR100 as one of the top 100 innovators in the world under the age of 35, for his contribution to Microsoft's .NET Framework.