Logistics software startup Flexport has recruited veteran Amazon executive Dave Clark as its new chief executive.
He will join the digital freight forwarder in September 2022, initially as co-chief executive with Flexport founder and current CEO Ryan Petersen.
Clark will become sole chief executive from March 2023, while Petersen will then assume the role of executive chairman to focus on the company’s long-term vision and strategy.
Flexport said Clark brings “more than two decades of global commerce and logistics leadership experience”.
Clark, 49, announced his departure from Amazon last week. He joined the company in May 1999 — just a day after graduating from an MBA programme.
He was reportedly paid $56m in salary in 2021, according to Bloomberg.
“The right leader will unlock our full potential by building the most productive and efficient operation,” said Petersen.
“Over the last two decades, Dave helped scale Amazon into the technology and supply chain juggernaut it is today.
“He is a builder and an entrepreneur at heart, with the leadership experience that will shepherd Flexport into the most exciting phase of our journey.”
Clark said the logistics market is a multi-trillion-dollar opportunity, and that Flexport is “just getting started advancing the global supply chain for the benefit of all”.
“I am excited to partner with the team to architect and build a technology-powered future enabling the transparent and seamless movement of goods from raw material to end consumers anywhere in the world,” he said.
During his 23-year tenure at Amazon, Clark held a variety of senior leadership positions prior to becoming the chief executive of its worldwide consumer division.
Flexport, which was founded in 2003, recorded $3.2bn in revenue in 2021.
In February 2022, Flexport raised $935m in a Series E investment round led by Andreessen Horowitz and MSD Partners, with continued support from DST Global and Founders Fund.
