XenSource, the server virtualization company, has added a second former Microsoft staffer to its management ranks, recruiting the exec responsible for leading a number of big Windows products.

Gordon Mangione has been named vice president of product operations for XenSource. He joins XenSource directly from Washington-State-based venture capitalist Ignition Partners. However, XenSource will be more interested in tapping into his experience in leading key Microsoft products to market, and mining his relationships with the software firm.

During his 15 years with Microsoft, Mangione was corporate vice president for SQL Server, vice president of Exchange Server, a product unit manager for Internet Services and business development manager for SNA Server.

According to XenSource chief executive Peter Levine, Mangione's experience in leading product teams at Microsoft will help his company to deliver "great" virtualization products for its customers.

In July XenSource announced a technology and support partnership with Microsoft to run Xen-enabled Linux on Windows Longhorn Server, due at the end of 2007.

Before the Microsoft deal, XenSource appointed Frank Artale as its vice president of business development. Artale is also a Microsoft alumnus, ending up as a vice president of the Windows business unit. He is pursuing relationships with platform providers such as Microsoft to ensure that the Xen hypervisor is fully tested throughout the entire stack. ®