Former Microsoft exec to head O-Care site

A former Microsoft executive will soon take the reins at HealthCare.gov, ObamaCare’s troubled online enrollment site.

Kurt DelBene, the former head of Microsoft Office, will begin his new position on Wednesday, according to an announcement from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

{mosads}”Kurt has proven expertise in heading large, complex technology teams and in product development. He will be a tremendous asset in our work,” HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius wrote in a blog post.

DelBene will succeed Jeff Zients, the former White House budget director, who has led the effort to repair HealthCare.gov since its botched rollout in October.

Zients is leaving the HHS to serve as director of the National Economic Council, leading the department to seek a replacement.

President Obama announced DelBene’s appointment during his meeting with technology executives Tuesday at the White House, saying the former Microsoft executive would be “leading our charge with healthcare.gov and the health insurance marketplace,” according to press secretary Jay Carney.

Carney lauded DelBene as “uniquely suited” to the task. He also said he was unaware what salary the tech veteran would earn, although he indicated that he was likely to do the job on a volunteer basis, like Zients did.

DelBene’s hiring comes after several Senate Democrats wrote to the White House asking for a smooth and fast transition in the website’s leadership.

HealthCare.gov “demands the sustained leadership and day-to-day management of a chief executive officer … who has experience overseeing large and complex consumer-facing technology projects,” the senators wrote.

According to his official biography, DelBene joined Microsoft in 1992 and has worked in leadership roles for a long list of its products. He retired this summer after a company-wide restructuring by CEO Steve Ballmer.

“Kurt is a talented and capable executive, with a track record of successfully managing complex large-scale technology projects,” said Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates in a statement. “Working with Kurt over many years, I know him to be a passionate advocate for using technology to solve difficult problems at scale. He brings deep expertise as a manager and engineer to his new responsibilities. I’m certain he’ll make an important positive contribution in his new role with HHS.”

Of note, DelBene is also the husband of freshman congresswoman Suzan DelBene (D-Wash.).

—Justin Sink contributed to this report, which was updated at 1:00 p.m.