Andy Jassy, the current CEO of Amazon Web Services (AWS), will take over the mantle of the CEO of Amazon after its current chief Jeff Bezos announced that he will step down later this year.
Bezos, who has been the CEO of the e-commerce behemoth since its inception in 1995, will transition into the role of the Executive Chair. He has been responsible for transforming Amazon from a mere online book seller to a $1.7 trillion global retail and logistics giant.
Jassy has been with Amazon since 1997 and has served as the chief of the biggest profit driver of Amazon – AWS – since before the launch of its first major service in 2006. A Harvard Business School graduate, Jassy had initially served as a technical advisor to Bezos.
“Being the CEO of Amazon is a deep responsibility, and it’s consuming,” Bezos wrote in a letter to his employees. “When you have a responsibility like that, it’s hard to put attention on anything else. As Exec Chair I will stay engaged in important Amazon initiatives but also have the time and energy I need to focus on the Day 1 Fund, the Bezos Earth Fund, Blue Origin, The Washington Post, and my other passions. I’ve never had more energy, and this isn’t about retiring. I’m super passionate about the impact I think these organizations can have.”
Bezos also wrote that Jassy would be “an outstanding leader, and he has my full confidence.”
Business leaders from across the world congratulated Jassy on his new achievement. Here is a tweet from Sundar Pichai, the chief of Google.
Congrats @JeffBezos , best wishes for Day 1 and Earth fund. Congrats @ajassy on your new role!
— Sundar Pichai (@sundarpichai) February 2, 2021
The CEO of Microsoft, Satya Nadella also congratulated Jassy on his new role.
Congratulations to @JeffBezos and @ajassy on your new roles. A well-deserved recognition of what you have accomplished.
— Satya Nadella (@satyanadella) February 2, 2021
Do you think the departure of Bezos will change the fortunes of Amazon? Let us know your views in the comments section below.
To read the entire letter written by Bezos to his employees, click here.
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