Richard Belluzzo

{{Infobox person

| image = Rick Belluzzo on the Startup Opportunity.jpg

| alt =

| caption = Belluzzo delivering a lecture in 2017

| birth_name = Richard Belluzzo

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1953|11|26}}

| birth_place = San Francisco, California

| occupation = | alma mater = {{hlist|Golden Gate University}}

| title =

| spouse =

}}

Richard "Rick" Belluzzo (born November 26, 1953){{cite news|url=http://www.pressdemocrat.com/business/5385065-181/viavi-solutions-board-chairman-rick

|title=Viavi Solutions board chairman Rick Belluzzo: Hardheaded and softhearted |author=Robert Digitale |publisher=The Press Democrat |date=March 20, 2016 |accessdate=8 February 2018}} is an American businessman who worked as an executive at Hewlett-Packard (HP), Silicon Graphics (SGI), Microsoft (MS), Quantum Corp. (QTM), and Viavi Solutions (VIAV). He has served on the board of directors of several technology companies. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from Golden Gate University.{{cite web|url=http://www.ggu.edu/press-room/profiles/alumni/richard-belluzzo |title=Profiles: Richard Belluzzo |publisher=Golden Gate University |accessdate=8 February 2018}}

Belluzzo worked for HP for 23 years, with his last role being executive vice president of their computer division. He moved to SGI in January 1998, becoming chairman of the board and CEO, succeeding Edward R. McCracken.{{cite news|title=Silicon Graphics Names Richard Belluzzo Chairman and CEO|url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/silicon-graphics-names-richard-belluzzo-chairman-and-ceo-76412677.html|date= January 23, 1998|work=Press Release|publisher=Silicon Graphics, Inc.|accessdate=December 30, 2013}}{{cite news|title=SGI surprise: Belluzzo out as CEO|url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/sgi-surprise-belluzzo-out-as-ceo/ |publisher=ZDNet |date=August 24, 1999 |access-date=8 February 2018}} During his time in the systems business, Belluzzo led both HP and SGI through the transition from proprietary systems to industry standard solutions. These actions were controversial at the time.{{cite news|title=Belluzzo's Nvidia pact 'sealed SGI's fate' |url=https://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/05/13/sgi_belluzzo/ |work=The Register |date=May 13, 2006 |accessdate=8 February 2018}} SGI lost money five out of the six quarters Belluzzo ran the company.{{cite news |last1=Non |first1=Sergio G. |title=SGI surprise: Belluzzo out as CEO |url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/sgi-surprise-belluzzo-out-as-ceo/ |access-date=14 March 2023 |publisher=ZDNET |date=23 August 1999}}

In August 1999, Belluzzo left SGI to head Microsoft's MSN division,{{cite news|title=Rick Belluzzo, Microsoft's Internet Czar |url=https://www.forbes.com/2000/08/19/feat |author=David Einstein |work=Forbes |date=August 19, 2000 |accessdate=8 February 2018}} and then the whole Consumer business, leading several emerging efforts, including the launch of the first Xbox. In February 2001, he became president and chief operating officer of Microsoft, running the day-to-day business during the critical CEO transition from Bill Gates to Steve Ballmer.{{cite news|title=Microsoft Names Rick Belluzzo Its President, Operating Chief |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB982114869928064892 |author=Rebecca Buckman |publisher=The Wall Street Journal |date=February 14, 2001 |accessdate=8 February 2018}}{{cite web|url=https://www.seattlepi.com/business/article/Microsoft-president-and-COO-Belluzzo-resigns-1084413.php |title=Microsoft president and COO Belluzzo resigns |author=John Cook |work=Seattle Post-Intelligencer |date=April 3, 2002 |accessdate=8 February 2018}} In September 2002, he was appointed CEO at Quantum Corp., where he managed the transformation from a tape drives to a storage systems company.{{cite news|url=https://www.computerworld.com/article/2576559/data-center/former-microsoft-president-to-become-quantum-s-ceo.html |title=Former Microsoft President To Become Quantum's CEO |author=Martyn Williams |work=Computerworld |date=August 5, 2002 |accessdate=8 February 2018}} In August 2015 he was appointed Interim CEO at Viavi Solutions, and finished the break-up of JDSU into two public companies.{{cite web|url=https://www.rcrwireless.com/20150812/test-and-measurement/post-jdsu-split-viavi-ceo-steps-down-tag6 |title=Post-JDSU split, Viavi's CEO steps down |author=Kelly Hill |publisher=RCRWireless News |date=August 12, 2015 |accessdate=8 February 2018}}

After leaving Quantum, Belluzzo began working with Italian Startups in both the US and Italy, becoming an investor in several companies. In 2017 he became a partner at Venture Capital firm Innogest Capital.{{cite web|url=http://www.innogestcapital.com/richard-belluzzo-appointed-new-full-partner/ |title=Richard Belluzzo (Microsoft, HP, SGI) appointed Innogest's partner |publisher=Innogest Capital |date=December 11, 2016 |accessdate=8 February 2018}}{{cite news|url=http://www.finsmes.com/2017/12/venture-capital-firm-innogest-appoints-richard-belluzzo-as-partner.html |title=Venture Capital Firm Innogest Appoints Richard Belluzzo as Partner |publisher=FinSMEs |date=December 11, 2016 |accessdate=8 February 2018}}{{cite web|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/research/stocks/people/person.asp?personId=181646&privcapId=401890 |title=Richard E. Belluzzo |publisher=Bloomberg |accessdate=8 February 2018}}

In 2017 he was awarded the honor of Cavaliere Della Repubblica Italiana (Italian Knighthood) by the President of the Italian Republic.{{cite web|url=http://www.quirinale.it/elementi/Onorificenze.aspx?pag=0&qIdOnorificenza=&cognome=Belluzzo&nome=&daAnno=2017&aAnno=2018&luogoNascita=&testo=&ordinamento=1 |title=Onorificenze |publisher=Presidenza della Repubblica Italiana |accessdate=8 February 2018}}