Google CFO Patrick Pichette To Retire

Patrick Pichette, Google's chief financial officer since 2008, is leaving the company, according to a regulatory filing. In a post on Google+, Pichette said he plans to hit the trails with his wife Tamar as soon as Google finds a replacement.

Pichette is one of Google's top executives and a trusted lieutenant of CEO Larry Page. He joined Google at a time when the company was weathering the downturn caused by the financial crisis. He brought discipline to Google's finances and curtailed wasteful spending. The Canadian-born Pichette then helped to lead Google through a period of steady growth as the company cemented its position as one of the pillars of the tech industry.

Pichette, who is 52, is leaving at a time when Google, once again, is facing questions from investors who are fretting that the company is struggling to succeed in the mobile era. While the company remains immensely powerful and influential, with a strong product portfolio, it is struggling to increase monetization on mobile devices.

Pichette said he will stay at Google while the company searches for a new CFO. Google declined to comment further.

Pichette said the idea to quit came from his wife of 25 years. When the pair was climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro in the fall, she suggested that the two of them keep traveling and exploring the world. Pichette said he first came up with a list of excuses, but then realized the time was right to "spend more time with my family."

"In the end, life is wonderful, but nonetheless a series of trade offs, especially between business/professional endeavours and family/community," Pichette wrote. "And thankfully, I feel I’m at a point in my life where I no longer have to have to make such tough choices anymore. And for that I am truly grateful. Carpe Diem."

Page chimed in, also on Google+, saying Pichette unconventional goodbye message will "warm your heart." He added: "Patrick has been a joy to work with and I wish him all the best on his new adventures!"