Moving computing into the cloud
is one of the great functional is one of the great functional
transformtransformations of technology ations of technology
in min my lifetimy lifetime. Andy Jassy, who e. Andy Jassy, who
led Amled Amazon Wazon Web Services (AWeb Services (AWS) S)
since its inception in 2003, was since its inception in 2003, was
a great leader in that transfor-a great leader in that transfor-
mmation. Wation. With AWith AWS, he built one S, he built one
of the world’s mof the world’s most successful ost successful
businesses. businesses.
I’ve known Andy for 14 years, I’ve known Andy for 14 years,
and have at different mand have at different momoments ents
interacted with himinteracted with him as a com as a competi-peti-
tor, a business partner, a supplier, tor, a business partner, a supplier,
a friend. I always coma friend. I always come away ime away im--
pressed. Andy has incredible in-pressed. Andy has incredible in-
tellectual capacity and curiosity. tellectual capacity and curiosity.
He is comHe is completely invested in what pletely invested in what
he does. he does.
There are simThere are similarities in our ilarities in our
careers. I worked at Mcareers. I worked at Microsoft for icrosoft for
years, and then took over for our years, and then took over for our
founder Bill Gates. Andy spent founder Bill Gates. Andy spent
decades at Amdecades at Amazon and then azon and then
took over for Jeff Bezos as Amtook over for Jeff Bezos as Ama-a-
zon’s CEO and president last year. zon’s CEO and president last year.
These are not easy transitions, These are not easy transitions,
but I cannot imbut I cannot imagine a stronger, agine a stronger,
mmore talented person to lead that ore talented person to lead that
transition than Andy. The passion transition than Andy. The passion
he feels about Amhe feels about Amazon’s role in azon’s role in
imimproving the environmproving the environment and ent and
keeping its warehouse emkeeping its warehouse employ-ploy-
ees safe is inspiring. He will mees safe is inspiring. He will make ake
amamazing contributions. azing contributions.
Hats off to himHats off to him for what he’s for what he’s
done at Amdone at Amazon over the last two azon over the last two
decades and what he will accomdecades and what he will accom--
plish going forward—plish going forward—even if I’meven if I’m
rooting for Mrooting for Microsoft when the icrosoft when the
two comtwo companies companies compete. pete.
Ballmer, MBallmer, Microsoft’s former icrosoft’s former
CEO, is an investor and owner CEO, is an investor and owner
of the Los Angeles Clippersof the Los Angeles Clippers
Andy JassyAndy JassyAndy Jassy
Taking overTaking over
B Y S T E V E B A L L M E RB Y S T E V E B A L L M E R
84 Time June 6/June 13, 2022 PHOTOGRAPH BY MICHAEL FRIBERG FOR TIME