Dem Rep’s husband back at Microsoft after work on HealthCare.gov

Kurt DelBene is returning to a top role at Microsoft nearly two years after he left to work in the Obama administration and help revitalize HealthCare.gov, the software giant announced on Monday.

DelBene, whose wife is Rep. Suzan DelBene (D-Wash.) — a former Microsoft executive of her own — will take the reins as executive vice president of corporate strategy and planning, reporting to CEO Satya Nadella. The company framed the role as one that will allow DelBene to look at future growth areas across the company’s different products.

{mosads}“Kurt brings extensive background in business strategy, engineering and customer solutions, as well as a proven track record of delivering strong results in complex environments,” Nadella said in a statement. “His experience at Microsoft, recent work on HealthCare.gov, and work with startups here in Seattle give him a unique perspective for this new role.”

DelBene formerly worked at Microsoft for more than 20 years until 2013, at which time he was in charge of the division overseeing Microsoft Office.

In the nearly two years away from the company, DelBene worked as a senior advisor to the secretary of Health and Human Services, and he was tapped by President Obama to help right the ship of HealthCare.gov after its disastrous launch in late 2013.

More recently, he had been a partner at a Seattle-based venture capital firm, Madrona Venture Group.  

“My time in Washington and in working with startups has brought a fresh appreciation for the challenges our industry faces, and the ways Microsoft has the talent and ambition to tackle these challenges in creative ways,” DelBene said.

His wife, Rep. Suzan DelBene, was first elected to the House in 2012. Before entering office, she spent a dozen years at Microsoft, most recently as the vice president of its mobile communications arm.