Former Amazon intern, Matt Garman, has come full circle as he takes on the role of CEO of Amazon Web Services (AWS), a $100 billion business and the engine of Amazon profits. Garman’s journey began in 2005 when he interned at Amazon while pursuing his master’s in business at Northwestern University. During his internship, he was captivated by a presentation on a new division within Amazon that required strong technical skills, which turned out to be AWS.
Despite initial skepticism from some customers about a bookseller getting into the cloud business, Garman, as one of the first product managers at AWS, played a crucial role in explaining the concept and its benefits to clients. Over the years, he worked closely with customers to customize cloud-service products, showcasing his attention to detail and technical expertise.
Garman’s promotion to vice president of compute services in 2013 marked a significant milestone in his career, as he helped drive AWS’s expansion from a $3 billion business to a $35 billion business. With his recent appointment as CEO of AWS, Garman faces the challenge of leading the company in a competitive landscape where AI investments and products are crucial for growth.
As AWS aims to attract businesses to its AI offerings and navigate the changing cloud market, Garman’s experience and technical know-how will be instrumental in shaping the future of the company. With a background in industrial engineering and a passion for music, Garman brings a unique perspective to his role as CEO, emphasizing the importance of technical innovation and customer-centric solutions in the cloud industry.