Jeff Bezos, Entrepreneur Extraordinaire: Is Nothing Out of His Reach?

As the person who turned online shopping into a national pastime, the CEO of the ultimate digital experience has flipped the script and expanded into brick-and-mortar, technology and now even rocketry.

Jeff Bezos, CEO of Amazon, No. 12 of the Largest 1,000 Public/Private Companies

As the person who turned online shopping into a national pastime, the CEO of the ultimate digital experience has flipped the script and expanded into brick-and-mortar, with the purchase of Whole Foods. Even his acquisition of the Washington Post gave the firm a brick-and-mortar foothold.

Amazon is also expanding its footprint in other ways. It has more than 50 fulfillment centers and is still opening more, 23 sortation centers, and 300,000 employees, 90,000 of whom are full-time.

Bezos is also committed to making technology integral to Amazon day-to-day business. While the firm continues to add more human employees, it also has 100,000 robots working at its fulfillment centers. It plans 5,000 virtual customer service jobs in the year ahead, and its Amazon Go self-checkout technology and Instant Pickup service are transforming grocery shopping as we know it today.

And with Bezos’ latest foray into rocketry with Blue Origin, the space company he runs, the entrepreneur is even catching the eye of the federal government. Bezos is a member of the Pentagon’s Defense Innovation Advisory Board.

With his hands in so many pots, it’s impossible to predict what he’ll do next, but there is no doubt innovational and groundbreaking.

Founder/Chairman (since 1994)
CEO
(since May, 1996)
President (since October, 2000)

Company start date: 1994

First Position at Company: Founder

Age: 53

Education: B.S. in electrical engineering and computer science from Princeton University


MORE LIKE THIS

  • Get the CEO Briefing

    Sign up today to get weekly access to the latest issues affecting CEOs in every industry
  • upcoming events

    Roundtable

    Strategic Planning Workshop

    1:00 - 5:00 pm

    We are in a period of rapid change. Customer needs, technologies, competitors and internal capabilities require companies to review and update their strategies for the new realities. In this workshop, strategy experts Steve Rutan and Denise Harrison will show you a systematic approach to strategic planning to help you refine or redefine your business strategy and approach including:

    • Learn what you need to know to develop an effective strategic plan. Put the right players on the strategic planning team.
    • Develop strategies that leverage your company’s unique position in the marketplace. Lift your management team beyond “business as usual” thought processes and activities.
    • Translate your strategies into action. Achieve your vision for success and generate superior financial results.
    • Identify exactly what you need to do now to position your company for future success.

    To sign up, select this option in your registration form. Additional fee of $695 will be added to your total.

    New York, NY: ​​​Chief Executive's Corporate Citizenship Awards 2017

    Women in Leadership Seminar and Peer Discussion

    2:00 - 5:00 pm

    Female leaders face the same issues all leaders do, but they often face additional challenges too. In this peer session, we will facilitate a discussion of best practices and how to overcome common barriers to help women leaders be more effective within and outside their organizations. 

    Limited space available.

    To sign up, select this option in your registration form. Additional fee of $495 will be added to your total.

    Golf Outing

    10:30 - 5:00 pm
    General’s Retreat at Hermitage Golf Course
    Sponsored by UBS

    General’s Retreat, built in 1986 with architect Gary Roger Baird, has been voted the “Best Golf Course in Nashville” and is a “must play” when visiting the Nashville, Tennessee area. With the beautiful setting along the Cumberland River, golfers of all capabilities will thoroughly enjoy the golf, scenery and hospitality.

    The golf outing fee includes transportation to and from the hotel, greens/cart fees, use of practice facilities, and boxed lunch. The bus will leave the hotel at 10:30 am for a noon shotgun start and return to the hotel after the cocktail reception following the completion of the round.

    To sign up, select this option in your registration form. Additional fee of $295 will be added to your total.