Yahoo COO Dan Rosensweig was left without a seat in the musical chairs game Yahoo played late last year. Today, his last official day at the company, he sent an email farewell to the troops filled with the obligatory exclamation points at the end of every Yahoo and then some. It’s too bad he couldn’t leave on an exclamation point, instead departing as the company regroups to handle increased tough competition and to deal with its own internal issues. He doesn’t leave empty handed, though—his severance package is worth $4 million.
From his up-with-people email: “For the last 5 years, we have accomplished much as a team – more than most people or companies will in a lifetime. But most meaningful to me is that we have led while others have followed. We have endured while others have succumbed. Under the leadership of Terry, Jerry and David, Yahoos have created a universe of opportunities that others can only envy. Yahoo! is not just a company… it’s an idea.  Yahoo! is what is possible, what is right, and what is worth doing.  It’s what others aspire to. Yahoo! is a collection of GREAT people with BIG hearts and even bigger dreams…and it is fun! As I make the move ..., I just want you to know that I am grateful to all of you for what you have accomplished and excited to see what you do next. Thank you for caring about what you do and what it means to the people you do it for.  I will always be proud to be a Yahoo! Yodel loud and proud!”

Osder leaving: Farther down the Yahoo food chain, coincidentally today is also Elizabeth Osder’s last day at Yahoo. We were first to report her hiring in July 2005 as senior director, social media reporting to Neil Budde at Yahoo News and now we note her return to consulting; she’ll also continue teaching at USC Annenberg.