Adam Selipsky, the CEO of AWS, has announced his departure from the company after 14 years to spend more time with his family. In a memo to employees, Selipsky expressed confidence in the leadership team and the future of the cloud business. He will be replaced by Matt Garman, an 18-year veteran of Amazon who has been described as having a strong set of skills for the role.
Following Selipsky’s departure, Amazon CEO Andy Jassy announced that the global sustainability organization, headed by Kara Hurst, will now fall under the company’s global communications and community impact division. Previously, Selipsky oversaw the sustainability unit as part of his duties in addition to leading AWS.
During Selipsky’s tenure as CEO, AWS faced challenges in its business, including a slowdown in revenue growth and layoffs due to changes in cloud spending. The company also had to respond to increased demand for artificial intelligence services, investing in startups like anthropic to strengthen its offerings.
While still the cloud leader, AWS is facing increasing competition from Microsoft’s Azure cloud business. Analysts have noted that Azure has gained market share compared to AWS in recent years, prompting a need for more aggressive approaches in areas like AI.
Selipsky’s compensation for 2022 was $41.1 million, with Jassy acknowledging his contributions to AWS during his time as CEO. Jassy expressed confidence in Garman’s abilities to lead AWS into the future, highlighting his extensive experience and leadership qualities.
Garman, who has been with Amazon since 2005 and has held various roles within the company, is described as customer-focused, inventive, and a smart problem-solver. He will officially take over as CEO of AWS on June 3, following Selipsky’s departure.
Jassy emphasized the importance of continuity in leadership and preparing the next generation of leaders within AWS. He thanked Selipsky for his contributions to the company and expressed excitement about the future under Garman’s leadership.
Overall, the transition in leadership at AWS marks a significant change for the cloud business, as the company aims to navigate challenges in the market and continue innovating in areas like AI and sustainability. With Garman at the helm, AWS will look to build on its strengths and maintain its position as a leader in the cloud computing industry.
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https://www.cnbc.com/amp/2024/05/14/amazon-web-services-ceo-adam-selipsky-to-step-down.html