Amazon's No. 2 exec steps down: Dave Clark led warehouse and logistics businesses and became one of the most powerful execs in the world
- Amazon Worldwide Consumer CEO Dave Clark is leaving the company.
- The longtime executive has worked for Amazon since 1999.
Longtime Amazon executive Dave Clark is departing the online retail giant. The CEO of Amazon Worldwide Consumer announced that he was stepping down in a tweet on Friday.
Clark has long been considered one of the most powerful executives in the United States. He first joined Amazon in 1999 and ascended to the company's famously secretive, 23-member "S-team" of top executives. Most recently, he spearheaded Amazon's COVID-19 strategy. Developing a reputation as a tough, diligent manager, Clark earned the nickname "the sniper" for terminating struggling warehouse workers.
In his email to staffers, Clark wrote that he "joined Amazon out of grad school" when the company was "small" but "growing fast." "As much as I have loved the ride, it is time for me to say goodbye to start a new journey. For some time, I have discussed my intent to transition out of Amazon with my family and others close to me, but I wanted to ensure the teams were setup for success. I feel confident that time is now."
According to a recent Amazon filing with the Securities Exchange Commission, Clark's resignation will take effect on July 1.
Amazon CEO Andrew Jassy sent a note to Amazon employees "thanking Dave for his many accomplishments over the years at Amazon and especially for what he's delivered for customers."
According to the Wall Street Journal, Clark's recent "move from Seattle to the Dallas area" was seen as a sign that the executive might leave Amazon. In addition, Amazon posted its first loss in seven years back in April, largely due to inflation and supply chain issues.
Clark's announcement marks the week's second high-profile tech C-suite shakeup, after Meta's Sheryl Sandberg published a post on Facebook stating that she would departure her role as COO.