5 Things to Know About Incoming AWS CEO Matt Garman

While in business school, Garman received an offer from Amazon to intern at AWS in mid-2005 before the world’s largest cloud computing provider became the world’s largest cloud computing provider.

“I already had some experience at startups, but one thing I really wanted to know was, how does a bigger company actually invent inside that larger organization? How does it start new businesses? How does it drive innovation?” Garman said.

Garman got that answer during the weekend his intern cohort visited Amazon in Seattle to learn about specific opportunities.

“People came to talk to us about things like books, music and sporting goods,” Garman said. “The other interns were super excited about those parts of the retail business, but for me it was Andy Jassy’s (pictured) presentation that stuck out. He said: ‘We're starting up a new business. I can't tell you much about it, but it's heavy on technology and we think it has a lot of potential.’ I knew immediately: That was the one I wanted to work on.”

Garman took a full-time role as AWS’ first-ever product manager in 2006. 

At the time, a mere three people comprised AWS’ worldwide sales team.

“We did everything,” Garman said. “I was the product manager and I wrote product detail pages, came up with pricing plans, ran product naming meetings — whatever was needed. We all saw there was something there, but we really didn’t know how big AWS was going to be. We were just really excited about going and building things, about seeing what we could do.”

“I hear a lot of people talk about the importance of listening to customers, but I’m often surprised by how few actually do it,” Garman said. “Oftentimes, they already have in their head what they think the answer is, so in truth they’re not really listening to what that customer is saying. Whenever I sit down with a customer, I always try to be aware of any preconceived notions I may have, and make sure I put them aside. I want to truly understand the customer’s perspective, so I can dive deep into the issue or challenge they are trying to solve. To do that, I need to keep an open mind. The words people use and the thing they're actually trying to say aren't always the same. Maybe it’s because when I was growing up, my family was full of big talkers who liked to deliver a point that got heard, that I developed a skill for cutting through and getting to the ground truth. I think that’s something I bring to the table.”

There’s no wiggle room for Garman when it comes to making sure AWS customers know their data and environments are secure.

“Andy Jassy said on my very first day that ensuring security for our customers is ‘job zero,’” Garman said. “That hasn’t changed in 18 years and it won’t change under my leadership.”

(Not to put too fine a point on it but we haven’t heard about AWS accidentally deleting a $135 billion pension fund…)

Garman grew up in Scottsdale, Ariz. He earned his undergraduate and graduate degrees in industrial engineering at Stanford University. He then went to Northwestern University for his MBA.

Now a Seattle resident, Garman listens to the Acquired podcast when commuting or, if his daughter’s in the car, the new Taylor Swift album. He takes a break from work by spending time in the mountains with his family. His favorite food? A good taco truck burrito.

Garman supports the following organizations: First Tee, One Acre Fund and Ranier Scholars. 

“Education meeting opportunity has been a throughline in my career, and I want to help pass along that same powerful combination to others,” he said.

Garman grew up in Scottsdale, Ariz. He earned his undergraduate and graduate degrees in industrial engineering at Stanford University. He then went to Northwestern University for his MBA.

Now a Seattle resident, Garman listens to the Acquired podcast when commuting or, if his daughter’s in the car, the new Taylor Swift album. He takes a break from work by spending time in the mountains with his family. His favorite food? A good taco truck burrito.

Garman supports the following organizations: First Tee, One Acre Fund and Ranier Scholars. 

“Education meeting opportunity has been a throughline in my career, and I want to help pass along that same powerful combination to others,” he said.