Speaker
Stephen Lawler
General Manager, Microsoft Virtual Earth
As general manager of the Virtual Earth Business Unit at Microsoft Corp., Stephen Lawler oversees all aspects of worldwide product development, program management, marketing and business development related to the Windows Live Local, Virtual Earth, MapPoint® Web Service, MapPoint CD-ROM, Microsoft® Streets & Trips, and AutoRoute™ products.Lawler has more than a decade of experience as a developer of mapping and location software as well as mobile device technologies. He has overseen the launch of more than 50 products and services. Lawler was responsible for the development of Virtual Earth. Previous to that Lawler was responsible for the development of MapPoint Web Service, Microsoft’s first Extensible Markup Language (XML) Web service. He also played a key role in developing the MapPoint Business Unit’s CD products, which include MapPoint, Streets & Trips, Pocket Streets and AutoRoute.
Lawler joined Microsoft in 1999 after serving as managing director of software development at MapInfo Corp., which provides scientific mapping and Geographic Information System (GIS) technology products. Before his current role, Lawler was the product unit manager for MapPoint and was involved in Microsoft’s acquisition of Vicinity Corp. in 2003. Before that, Lawler served as group manager for the Microsoft Wireless Server Division and as group program manager for the Microsoft Exchange Enhanced Platform Product Unit.
Lawler holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics from the University of New Hampshire. He and his wife, AnnMarie, live in Redmond, Wash., with their two daughters. In his free time, Lawler enjoys family activities, reading, audiovisual technology, downhill skiing, basketball, golf and other sports.