Eric Berlinberg, who was a key leader on Amazon’s Prime Air team, has left the company after more than a decade to join Torc Robotics, a subsidiary of Daimler Truck that focuses on developing autonomous vehicle technology for self-driving trucks. At Amazon, Berlinberg led program management and business intelligence for Prime Air, the drone delivery division of the company. He played a significant role in bringing drone delivery to the forefront and expressed his excitement at being part of such a groundbreaking project. Berlinberg’s previous experience includes positions at Manhattan Creative Group and Coca-Cola. At Torc, he will lead program management as the company focuses on enabling trucks to drive autonomously between hubs in the U.S.
Amazon has been investing heavily in developing drones for package delivery to customers. While it has faced challenges in meeting delivery projections, the company is expanding its delivery sites across the U.S. and recently obtained a crucial approval from the FAA to fly drones beyond visual line of sight. In other personnel changes in the Pacific Northwest tech ecosystem, John Montgomery, a former Microsoft corporate vice president with over 26 years at the company, has joined Meta in a new role as vice president of product management. Similarly, longtime marketing executive Jay Wampold has joined Buildkite, a software company based in Australia.
Michael Vogelsong, who co-founded Amazon’s Deep Learning Technologies team, has joined Collaborative Robotics, a company founded by former Amazon Robotics VP Brad Porter. Whitney Ellison, former director of brand activation at Alaska Airlines, has moved to Starbucks as senior manager of brand marketing, focusing on coffee and culture. Aaron Kornblum is leaving his position as global general counsel at BYJU’S Learning, an edtech company based in India. Mark Musburger is stepping down as CFO of Banzai, a marketing software company in the Seattle area that went public recently.
These changes in key personnel highlight the dynamic nature of the tech industry, with experienced professionals moving between companies to take on new challenges and opportunities. As leaders like Berlinberg transition from established companies like Amazon to newer ventures like Torc Robotics, they bring valuable experience and insights that can drive innovation and growth in the industry. With the rapid advancement of technologies such as autonomous vehicles and drones, companies are actively seeking talent with expertise in these areas to stay competitive and lead the way in emerging markets. The movement of top executives and industry veterans across different organizations reflects the ongoing evolution and transformation of the tech landscape, as companies adapt to changing consumer demands and technological advancements.
