Microsoft c-suite exec to join Amazon's elite senior leadership team

Amazon has named a top executive from rival tech giant Microsoft as successor to its longtime senior VP of devices & services.

In a corporate blog post, the online giant announced that Panos Panay, a two-decade veteran of Microsoft, will be coming on board to lead its devices & services business (D&S). Panos will report to Amazon CEO Andy Jassy and join the retailer’s “S-Team” (its elite senior leadership team).

Panos replaces Dave Limp, a 13.5-year veteran of Amazon who joined Amazon in March 2010 and oversaw the development of Amazon devices including Alexa, Echo, Kindle and Fire TV. Amazon initially announced in August that Limp would be leaving his devices and services role.

Recently, Amazon said that Limp will take the position of CEO at Blue Origin, the spaceflight services company launched by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos in 2000, replacing outgoing CEO Bob Smith.

Panos has spent the last 19-plus years at Microsoft, where he was most recently executive VP and chief product officer, leading the Windows + Devices division. Before this latest role, Panos held a variety of leadership positions at the company, including corporate VP for Microsoft Devices, as well as GM of Surface and PC Hardware, where he managed the creation and introduction of the Surface product line.

Panos will start his new role with Amazon at the end of October 2023, and Limp will work with him over the next couple of months to help ensure a smooth transition.

“I remain quite excited about the invention happening and businesses that we’re building in D&S, and look forward to working with Panos,” Jassy said in the blog post. “As a strong product builder and inventor who has deep experience in both hardware and integrated services, Panos will be a great addition to our D&S organization moving forward.”

Limp also commented on the hire in the blog post.

“I’ve known Panos for years and believe he will be a great addition to this organization moving forward,” said Limp. “He is a passionate product leader and I can’t wait to see what all of you invent together. I’ll work diligently with him for the next two months to ensure a smooth transition through our fall launches.”