After nine incredible years, I’ve made the decision to retire (for now)from Amaz
By Raymond Roach Mba · November 9, 2026 · Curated by George's Blog
After nine incredible years, I’ve made the decision to retire (for now)from Amazon.
This wasn’t an easy decision. Amazon has been an extraordinary chapter in my life, one filled with challenges, opportunities, relationships, and lessons that have shaped me both personally and professionally.
I’ve often reflected on the Four Burners Theory, the idea that life consists of four burners: family, friends, health, and work. For the past nine years, my work burner has burned incredibly bright.
And while I’m grateful for everything that journey has given me, I’ve reached a point where it’s time to turn down one burner so I can turn up the ones that matters most right now — family, health, & friends.
When I reflect on my career, I’m proud of the business results, the challenges we overcame, and the teams we built. But what I’m most proud of is the people.
I’ve had the privilege of helping develop hundreds of leaders, including Senior Operations Managers, General Managers, and Regional Directors.
Those relationships, the conversations, the moments of growth, and the opportunity to make a difference in someone’s life will always mean more to me than any metric or business accomplishment.
Amazon taught me so much about leadership, resilience, and the importance of staying in the arena, especially when things get difficult.
I leave Amazon incredibly grateful for the opportunities, the people who believed in me, the leaders who challenged me, and the teams who trusted me.
Nine incredible years. One unforgettable chapter. #KeepGoing #PeopleFirst