CFO of Internet company retires

After working for nearly 30 consecutive years, seven of those years as CFO, Patrick Pichette, Google CFO, has announced his retirement.

He announced his desire to retire from his role at the company with this statement; "After nearly seven years as CFO, I will be retiring from Google to spend more time with my family."

While his reason for retiring is the norm for executives, he went on to offer a candid explanation about the struggles of work/life balance at his level.

Pichette recalls a vacation in Africa with his wife last fall, during which she suggested they keep traveling and really see the world. He initially demurred, noting the importance of his work at the Internet giant.

"Then she asked the killer question," Pichette wrote in his memo, which he posted to Google+. "So when is it going to be time? Our time? My time? The questions just hung there in the cold morning African air."

He started to lay out the argument in his head: Their kids had grown up and moved away. He had worked for nearly 30 consecutive years of his life. And his wife clearly deserved more quality time. He knew it was time to "hit the road."

"In the end, life is wonderful, but nonetheless a series of trade offs, especially between business/professional endeavours and family/community. 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."

"A most unconventional leaving notice from a most unconventional CFO," Larry Page, Google's cofounder and CEO, wrote in a response on Google+. "Well worth reading, it will warm your heart."

Google has yet to name a replacement. Pichette will be sticking around for the "coming months."

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