Who operates Amazon?

Amazon is operated by a combination of its leadership team, board of directors, and employees across its various business segments. Here’s a breakdown of how Amazon is managed and operated:

1. CEO and Leadership Team

The CEO of Amazon, Andy Jassy, is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the company. He succeeded Jeff Bezos as CEO in July 2021. Jassy and the leadership team, also known as the S-Team, are responsible for making high-level strategic decisions that shape the company's direction.

Key Members of the Leadership Team:

• Andy Jassy: CEO of Amazon. He was previously the CEO of Amazon Web Services (AWS) and now leads the overall company.
• Beth Galetti: Senior Vice President of People, Experience, and Technology, overseeing Amazon’s human resources and employee experience.
• Brian Olsavsky: Senior Vice President and CFO, responsible for the financial operations of Amazon.
• David Zapolsky: Senior Vice President and General Counsel, overseeing legal affairs at Amazon.
• Doug Herrington: CEO of Worldwide Amazon Stores, leading Amazon’s global retail operations.

The S-Team works directly with Jassy and is responsible for overseeing various business units and functions across Amazon.

2. Board of Directors

Amazon’s Board of Directors is responsible for corporate governance, providing oversight and strategic direction. The board ensures that the company is operating in the best interest of its shareholders and oversees major decisions such as mergers, acquisitions, and financial planning.

Key Members of the Board:

• Jeff Bezos: Amazon's founder and former CEO, serves as Executive Chairman of the board.
• Andy Jassy: CEO and board member.
• Other board members: Include leaders from various industries and backgrounds who contribute to shaping Amazon’s long-term strategy.

3. Employees

Amazon is operated by over 1.5 million employees worldwide. These employees work in a variety of functions across the company, including:

• Amazon Web Services (AWS): Teams that manage Amazon’s cloud computing services.
• Fulfillment Centers: Staff responsible for managing Amazon’s vast logistics and delivery network.
• Retail and E-commerce Teams: Employees who manage Amazon’s online marketplace and customer experience.
• Corporate and Tech Employees: Engineers, developers, data scientists, and corporate staff who contribute to product development, innovation, and global operations.

4. Subsidiaries and Business Units

Amazon operates several subsidiaries and business units that manage specific areas of the company’s global operations. These include:

• Amazon Web Services (AWS): Provides cloud computing and infrastructure services to businesses.
• Whole Foods Market: Amazon’s physical grocery store chain.
• Amazon Prime: Manages Amazon’s subscription service for customers, including Prime Video and Prime Music.
• Amazon Logistics: Oversees Amazon’s delivery network and transportation.

Summary:

• CEO and Leadership Team: Led by Andy Jassy, the leadership team (S-Team) makes key strategic decisions.
• Board of Directors: Oversees corporate governance and long-term strategy, with Jeff Bezos serving as Executive Chairman.
• Employees: Over 1.5 million people worldwide work across Amazon’s e-commerce, logistics, AWS, and other departments.
• Subsidiaries: Business units like AWS, Whole Foods, and Amazon Logistics manage specialized operations.

This combination of leadership, governance, and a large global workforce is what drives Amazon’s operations on a day-to-day basis.