Amazon's worldwide operations propelled by MIT LGO alumni
In the dynamic world of e-commerce, the contributions of three MIT Leaders for Global Operations (LGO) alumni - John Tagawa, Diego Méndez de la Luz, and Chuck Cummings - have been instrumental in shaping Amazon's operations across North America.
John Tagawa, currently overseeing Amazon's North American operations, joined the company in 2008. His leadership has been pivotal in managing numerous fulfillment centres globally, with a focus on enhancing safety, speed, and efficiency. Tagawa's journey at Amazon began through an LGO alumni connection, and he credits the unique blend of operational and leadership strength he gained from the program for his success.
Diego Méndez de la Luz, who heads up operations for Amazon in Mexico, is making a significant difference in his native country. He oversees the vast majority of Amazon's 10,000 employees in Mexico, those who work in operations, across 40 facilities throughout the country. Méndez de la Luz believes that his role at Amazon is his "dream job" and a source of great pride. He learned about inventory management, business law, accounting, and important workplace conversations at LGO, which have proved invaluable in his current role.
Chuck Cummings, another LGO graduate, leads customer fulfillment throughout Canada for Amazon. He has made notable strides in the industry, launching an Amazon robotics fulfillment center in Calgary, Alberta last year, and helping bring Amazon's storage and distribution network to a new facility in Vancouver, British Columbia. Cummings is also serving as Amazon's co-school captain for LGO, recruiting the next generation of LGO graduates for internships and full-time roles.
Their leadership has been critical during periods of rapid expansion and complexity in Amazon’s global supply chain. The integrative approach of the LGO program, combining technical expertise and leadership skills, has enabled them to optimize Amazon's complex logistics and delivery networks across North America. They have also played mentorship roles, fostering new talent within Amazon’s operations ecosystem rooted in LGO values.
John Tagawa's outlook at Amazon was significantly influenced by his classes with Donald Davis, the late chair and CEO of The Stanley Works, during his time at LGO. Davis' teachings on servant-leadership and diversity have been integral to Tagawa's leadership style at Amazon.
Méndez de la Luz and Cummings frequently interact with LGO students, passing on leadership principles that remain consistent despite technological changes in the industry. Their experiences at Amazon serve as a testament to the value of the LGO program in preparing its graduates for leadership roles in the ever-evolving world of global operations.
- The education and self-development provided by the LGO program have been vital for the success of John Tagawa, Diego Méndez de la Luz, and Chuck Cummings, who have made significant contributions to shaping Amazon's operations across North America.
- John Tagawa, currently leading Amazon's North American operations, attributes the unique blend of operational and leadership strength he gained from the LGO program to his success.
- Diego Méndez de la Luz manages the vast majority of Amazon's employees in Mexico and oversees operations across 40 facilities, drawing on the inventory management, business law, accounting, and important workplace conversations he learned at LGO.
- Chuck Cummings, an LGO graduate, leads customer fulfillment throughout Canada for Amazon, and his work has included launching an Amazon robotics fulfillment center and helping bring Amazon's storage and distribution network to a new facility.
- The LGO alumni have shown resilience in navigating periods of rapid expansion and complexity in Amazon’s global supply chain, using their technical expertise and leadership skills to optimize logistics and delivery networks.
- The LGO graduates have also played mentorship roles, fostering new talent within Amazon’s operations ecosystem, which is rooted in LGO values.
- John Tagawa's leadership style at Amazon has been significantly influenced by his classes with Donald Davis, the late chair and CEO of The Stanley Works, during his time at LGO, especially Davis' teachings on servant-leadership and diversity.
- LGO students benefit from the experiences and leadership principles shared by alumni like Tagawa, Méndez de la Luz, and Cummings, which remain consistent despite technological changes in the industry, providing them with a valuable foundation for their careers in the ever-evolving world of global operations and business.
