Blue Origin, the aerospace company founded by Jeff Bezos, is set to undergo a change in leadership as Dave Limp, an outgoing Amazon executive, takes over the role of CEO from Bob Smith, who is retiring effective December 4th. Smith will stay on with the company until January 2nd to facilitate a smooth transition, according to statements from both Smith and Bezos.**
Dave Limp’s appointment comes at a pivotal juncture for Blue Origin, with several significant space projects on the horizon. The company is gearing up to increase production of its BE-4 rocket engines, relaunch its space tourism rocket New Shepard, debut its next-generation New Glenn rocket, and fulfill a recent NASA contract for a crewed lunar lander.
In a statement provided to CNBC, a spokesperson for Blue Origin praised Dave Limp as “a proven innovator with a customer-first mindset” who possesses extensive experience in the high-tech industry and a track record of successfully growing complex organizations.
Prior to his transition to Blue Origin, Dave Limp served as Amazon’s devices and services chief. In this role, he oversaw various Amazon units, including Alexa, Echo, and Ring, as well as ventures such as Zoox autonomous vehicles and Project Kuiper’s internet satellite initiative.
Limp’s arrival is expected to bring fresh perspectives and expertise to Blue Origin’s ambitious space endeavors, solidifying the company’s position in the rapidly evolving space industry. As Blue Origin continues to work on its rocket technologies and space tourism ventures, Limp’s leadership will play a vital role in shaping the future of the company and its contributions to space exploration.
