Google names finance chief to replace Pichette

Google on Tuesday named as its new chief financial officer Ruth Porat, who will move from a similar position at the investment banking giant Morgan Stanley. Porat will replace Patrick Pichette, who announced his retirement this month after nearly seven years as one of the Internet titan’s top executives. Porat has been at Morgan Stanley since 1987 and has been vice chairman of investment banking, global head of the financial institutions group and co-chief of technology investment banking.

We’re tremendously fortunate to have found such a creative, experienced and operationally strong executive.

Google chief executive Larry Page

Porat, who will start the new job May 26, has a bachelor’s degree from Stanford University, an MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and another master’s degree from the London School of Economics. She has been the lead banker for big tech firm financing, including for Amazon, eBay, Netscape, Priceline and VeriSign.