Reviews of David Limp’s retirement have been enormously exaggerated. The previous SVP of Units and Providers introduced final week at Amazon’s 2023 Devices Event that he could be stepping down from the position he had held for greater than a decade. By Monday, nevertheless, Limp had reportedly been tapped by Jeff Bezos to take over for present Blue Origin CEO, Bob Smith, who’s retiring in the beginning of December.
MSNBC reviews that Smith will stick round till January 2, 2024 to help with the transition. Bezos despatched the next announcement to the Blue Origin’s workforce on Monday:
I’m excited to share that Dave Limp will be part of Blue beginning December 4th as CEO, changing Bob, who has elected to step apart on January 2. The overlap is purposeful to make sure a easy transition.
Earlier than I present some background on Dave, I’d wish to take the time to acknowledge Bob and the numerous progress and transformation we’ve skilled throughout his tenure. Below Bob’s management, Blue has grown to a number of billion {dollars} in gross sales orders, with a considerable backlog for our automobiles and engines. Our staff has elevated from 850 individuals when Bob joined to greater than 10,000 at the moment. We’ve expanded from one workplace in Kent to constructing a launch pad at LC-36 and 5 million sq. ft of services throughout seven states.
Our mission has grown too – we’ve flown 31 individuals above the Kármán Line, virtually 5 p.c of all of the individuals who have been to area. Flight-qualified BE-4 engines are prepared to spice up Vulcan into orbit. New Glenn is nearing launch subsequent 12 months, and, with our latest NASA contract, we’ll land Individuals again on the Moon, this time to remain. We have now additionally engaged and impressed tens of millions of youngsters and educators by means of our Membership for the Future efforts. We’ve made large progress in constructing a highway to area for the good thing about Earth, thanks to every of you and Bob’s management.
I’ve labored carefully with Dave for a few years. He’s the fitting chief on the proper time for Blue. Dave joins us after virtually 14 years at Amazon, the place he most just lately served as senior vice chairman of Amazon Units and Providers, main Kuiper, Kindle, Alexa, Zoox, and plenty of different companies. Earlier than Amazon, Dave had roles at different high-tech firms, together with Palm and Apple. Dave is a confirmed innovator with a customer-first mindset and intensive expertise main and scaling giant, complicated organizations. Dave has an impressive sense of urgency, brings vitality to every thing, and helps groups transfer very quick.
Please be part of me in welcoming Dave and thanking Bob. By this transition, I do know we’ll stay targeted on our buyer commitments, manufacturing schedules, and executing with velocity and operational excellence. I stay up for the various thrilling and historic milestones forward of us!
MSNBC obtained Limp’s welcome as nicely:
It’s been about six years since I joined Blue Origin. Throughout that point, our staff, services, and gross sales orders have grown dramatically, and we’ve made important contributions to the historical past of spaceflight.
With delight and satisfaction in all that we’ve completed, I’m saying that efficient December 4, I shall be stepping apart as Chief Govt Officer of Blue Origin. I’ll stay with Blue till January 2 to make sure a easy transition with the brand new CEO.
It has been my privilege to be a part of this nice staff, and I’m assured that Blue Origin’s best achievements are nonetheless forward of us. We’ve quickly scaled this firm from its prototyping and analysis roots to a big, distinguished area enterprise. We have now the fitting technique. a supremely gifted staff, a strong buyer base, and among the most technically bold and thrilling initiatives in your entire trade. We even have a staff that cares deeply about its mission, legacy, and the way we contribute to the following technology and produce everybody right into a brighter future.
Jeff and I’ve been discussing my plan for months, and Jeff will announce Blue’s new CEO in a separate notice shortly. I’m very excited concerning the operational excellence and tradition of innovation this new chief will carry to Blue. constructing on the muse we’ve created over the previous few years.
I’m dedicated to making sure this transition is flawless, and everybody ought to know that Sick at all times be on Staff Blue.
Amazon has not formally named its successor for Limp, although Microsoft’s product chief, Panos Panay — who also just so happened to leave the role he held for two decades last week — has been rumored as a number one selection for that place.
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