Google CEO To Step Down in 2009

Google's market capitalization has shed over $160 billion in value over the past year and what is the CEO up to? He was on the Rachel Maddow show on MSNBC discussing why the government chose to bailout Citigroup rather than the auto industry.

No mention of how he plans to grow Google's revenues in the face of what could well be a depression, or how he plans to monetize YouTube more effectively, or whether Google could actually find a real revenue stream beyond search (the company has thrown so many darts after businesses like radio, print, display, mobile, etc. hoping one will hit the bullseye).
Further, Microsoft is looking to make an aggressive calculated move on Google's turf, looking to potentially use its capital strength to capitalize on the current weakness in the online advertising industry.

To his credit, he has built Google from revenues of $86 million in 2001 to over $20 billion in annual revenues in 2008, with $9 billion of those 2008 revenues converting to EBITDA. Cash in the bank has grown from less than $100 million in 2001 to $14 billion today and the model currently spits out $5 billion in free cash per year. An impressive seven year financial track record that very few CEOs living or dead can go up against. Could be that his job is done.

This leads me to conclude that Eric Schmidt is looking to depart Google in 2009 to assume a role in BAMA's administration. Who would think that the once shy Sun employee who had to take a public speaking course had aspirations towards the political world. I gather if Meg can do it so can he.

Question is what does this mean for the future of Google? Can it reach the $100 billion in "revenues" company without the vision of Schmidt. Who would/could lead Google next?