Windows 11 product manager Panos Panay joins Amazon update
Panos Panay will join Amazon at the end of October. The Amazon blog sharing the news, further announced that Dave Limp will provide guidance during Panay’s first stint at Amazon.
Dave Limp is the current SVP of Devices & Services at Amazon. However, he will say goodbye to the company later this year. He advances to the position of CEO of Blue Origin. So there will remain ties with Amazon, of which the space company is a part. The move also brings him back to Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. After stepping down as CEO of Amazon, Bezos has committed himself to the space company.
Original, 10:14, 19/09/2023, Floris Hulshoff Pol: CPO Panos Panay is leaving Microsoft and may start working at Amazon. The departed CPO will be succeeded by Pavan Davuluri and Yusuf Mehdi.
Panos Panay worked at Microsoft for 20 years and was responsible, among other things, for the introduction of the Surface tablets and laptops. At this time he was responsible for Windows 11.
Panay goes according Bloomberg possibly work at Amazon. At this tech giant, he will be responsible for the voice-activated digital assistant Alexa and the Echo smart speakers. Amazon has recently been expanding the use of this technology. In this scenario, Panay succeeds David Limp, who is retiring.
Get employees from the competitor
Panos Panay’s move is remarkable, but not unusual. Two years ago, Amazon’s then head of cloud operations Charlie Bell moved to Microsoft. He now heads the cybersecurity business at the Redmond tech giant.
Although Microsoft has a non-compete clause for its top management, this is often not enforced.
Succession secured
Microsoft immediately announced Panay’s successors. Pavan Davuluri will be responsible for the operating systems, as well as the devices and chips related to desktop clients, cloud and AI.
Yusuf Mehdi, currently head of consumer marketing, will be responsible for partnerships with computer manufacturers and retail organizations.
Update, 10:37, 29/09/2023, Laura Herijgers: Amazon confirms the hiring of Panos Panay. He will be responsible for successfully leading the Devices & Services department.