Tech Moves: Microsoft Leader Jumps to Anthropic, New CEO at Tagboard

A flurry of significant personnel changes is reshaping the tech landscape this week, with a prominent Microsoft executive departing for AI trailblazer Anthropic, a Redmond-based live broadcast startup announcing a new CEO, and Expedia Group promoting a key technology leader.

Longtime Microsoft veteran Eric Boyd has made the leap to Anthropic, the fast-rising artificial intelligence company, where he will lead its infrastructure team. Boyd, who spent nearly 17 years at Microsoft, announced his new role on LinkedIn today, April 7, 2026. His departure from Microsoft was reported last week by GeekWire.

At Microsoft, Boyd initially managed BingAds development before becoming president of the AI Platform in 2015. He was later tapped by CEO Satya Nadella to spearhead the Azure AI team, giving him a front-row seat to the rapid advancements in large language models (LLMs). His move to Anthropic signals a significant gain for the company known for its leading AI models.

Boyd expressed enthusiasm for his new venture, stating on LinkedIn, “I’ve been privileged to have a front row seat to the explosion of LLMs, and the team at Anthropic is truly special. The combination of the absolute leading models with a culture that is committed to their mission is inspiring and I can’t wait to lean in to help.” His transition underscores the intensifying competition for top talent in the burgeoning AI sector.

Leadership Transition at Tagboard

In other major news, Nathan Peterson is stepping down as CEO of Tagboard, a Redmond, Wash., company specializing in live broadcast production for sports, news, and entertainment brands. Peterson joined Tagboard in 2017, rising through the ranks from senior vice president of revenue and partnerships to CEO four years ago, succeeding founder Josh Decker.

Tagboard lauded Peterson’s tenure in a LinkedIn post, acknowledging his instrumental role in building a product category, cultivating a dedicated team, and forging key relationships across the media industry that amplified Tagboard's global presence. Peterson himself reflected on the journey, citing the collective effort to navigate multiple shifts within the dynamic media landscape. He indicated a desire to “pursue a lifelong dream” but did not specify his next professional move.

Taking the helm as Tagboard's new CEO is Marty Roberts, who has served as the startup’s chief operating officer since 2024. Roberts brings a wealth of experience, having co-founded and led Wicket Labs, a Seattle-area startup focused on audience data for online video providers, which was acquired in 2022. Tagboard highlighted Roberts's proven track record, noting his experience in founding, scaling, and leading teams to transform product visions into sustainable businesses.

Expedia Group Strengthens Tech Leadership

Meanwhile, Expedia Group announced the promotion of Ryan Desjardins to Vice President of Technology. Desjardins, who has dedicated over 13 years to the Seattle-based travel company, is based in Austin. He acknowledged his teams on LinkedIn, thanking them for their hard work, creativity, and dedication to travelers, which he credited for making his promotion possible.

Expedia Group has been an active player in integrating artificial intelligence into its operations. The company earlier this year emphasized its commitment to embedding more AI capabilities directly into its products and ensuring its brands maintain a strong presence in generative AI searches, while also functioning effectively with agentic browsers. Desjardins’ promotion comes as the company continues to advance these strategic AI initiatives.

Further Industry Moves

The Pacific Northwest tech community also saw other notable appointments this week:

Ian Vensel has been appointed General Manager for 9Zero Seattle, a hub dedicated to supporting climate tech entrepreneurs in the region. Vensel previously spent over eight years with Empire Strategists, serving as a business development manager.

Walid Abu-Hadba has assumed the role of CEO at Precisely, a data management company based in Burlington, Mass. Abu-Hadba brings extensive leadership experience, including a distinguished 21-year career at Microsoft, where he ultimately served as corporate Vice President, overseeing the company’s developer business across sales, technical evangelism, and marketing before his departure in 2013.

The Puget Sound Emergency Radio Network (PSERN) has named Jeremy Hurd as its new Executive Director, effective April 20. Hurd succeeds Mike Webb, who is retiring from the Kent, Wash., organization. PSERN manages the critical emergency radio system used by fire departments, law enforcement, emergency medical services, and other public service agencies. Hurd's background includes a 21-year tenure at Marine Spill Response Corporation, where he was a senior communications and remote sensing manager.

FAQ

Q: What is the significance of Eric Boyd's move from Microsoft to Anthropic?

A: Eric Boyd's transition is significant as he brings nearly 17 years of high-level Microsoft experience, including leading Azure AI, to Anthropic's infrastructure team. This move highlights the intense competition for top AI talent and strengthens Anthropic's capabilities in developing and scaling its leading AI models.

Q: Who is the new CEO of Tagboard, and what does the company do?

A: Marty Roberts, previously COO, is the new CEO of Tagboard. The Redmond, Wash.-based company provides a platform that helps sports, news, entertainment, and other brands produce engaging live broadcasts by integrating various content streams.

Q: What is Ryan Desjardins' new role at Expedia Group, and how does it relate to the company's strategy?

A: Ryan Desjardins has been promoted to Vice President of Technology at Expedia Group. His promotion aligns with Expedia's strategic focus on integrating advanced AI capabilities into its products and ensuring its brands are prominent and functional within the evolving landscape of generative AI searches and agentic browsers.