Amazon taps new CFO

Amazon has confirmed that SVP and CFO Thomas J. Szkutak plans to retire from the company in June 2015. Succeeding him will be Brian T. Olsavsky, VP of finance for the company’s global consumer business, reporting to founder and CEO Jeffrey P. Bezos.



Szkutak has been Amazon’s CFO since joining the company in October 2002 and oversees the controller, treasury, investor relations, tax, internal audit and facilities functions as well as financial management of the company’s business units.



Szkutak and Olsavsky will work together during the next 10 months as part of the transition.



“Tom’s impact during the past 12 years is evident in every part of our business. Under Tom’s stewardship, customers have benefitted from category expansion and geographical expansion, along with amazing new businesses like AWS and Kindle,” said Bezos. “The day Tom joined the company was a very lucky one for Amazon’s shareowners and customers and for all of us who’ve had the pleasure and fun of getting to work with him. We wish Tom and his family all the best in their next round of adventures.”



“It’s been a privilege for me to work with so many talented people who are continually inventing on behalf of customers, and now I look forward to spending more time with my family and other outside interests,” said added Szkutak. “I’ve worked very closely with Brian Olsavsky during the past 12 years and have seen firsthand how talented he is, and I have confidence that he will be a great CFO for Amazon.com.”



Olsavsky joined Amazon in April 2002 as VP of finance. He has held numerous financial leadership roles across Amazon with global responsibility. Prior to joining Amazon, he was employed by Fisher Scientific International for seven years in a variety of financial and business management roles. Olsavsky graduated from Pennsylvania State University with a B.S. degree in mechanical engineering in 1985 and received an M.S. degree in industrial administration from Carnegie Mellon University in 1989.