The Return of Leadership: Unpacking the CEO Drama

Ryan Petersen is the founder and CEO of Flexport, which makes software to optimize shipping everything from huge containers to ecommerce deliveries. It’s a fascinating company; we had Ryan on to explain it last year.

Right around the first time we spoke, Ryan handed off the CEO role to 20-year Amazon veteran Dave Clark. Then, barely a year later, Dave got fired, and Ryan returned after CEO. I always joke that Decoder is a show about org charts… so why did Ryan make and then unmake the biggest org chart decision there is? 

Links: 

Can software simplify the supply chain? Ryan Petersen thinks so - The Verge

Amazon consumer chief Dave Clark to join Flexport as its new CEO

Flexport CEO Dave Clark resigns from logistics startup after one year in the role

Flexport founder publicly slams his handpicked successor for hiring spree, rescinds offers

Ousted Flexport CEO Dave Clark strikes back

The real story behind a tech founder's 'tweetstorm that saves Christmas'

Panama Canal has gotten so dry and backed up after brutal drought that shippers are paying up to $4m to jump the queue

When Shipping Containers Sink in the Drink | The New Yorker

Transcript:

 https://www.theverge.com/e/23770977

Credits:

Decoder is a production of The Verge, and part of the Vox Media Podcast Network.

Today’s episode was produced by Kate Cox and Nick Statt and was edited by Callie Wright.

The Decoder music is by Breakmaster Cylinder. Our Executive Producer is Eleanor Donovan. 

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