Chris Bee, a tech executive with previous experience at companies such as Lessen, Zillow, and Uber, recently joined AI email startup Superhuman as chief technology officer. Superhuman, based in San Francisco, raised $75 million in 2021 to further develop its email app that aims to simplify the way people manage their emails across platforms like Gmail and Outlook. Bee expressed his excitement about joining Superhuman and being a part of a product that helps people save time on a daily basis. With Bee’s background in technology and leadership roles at various tech companies, his addition to Superhuman’s team is expected to drive the company’s growth, particularly as it targets enterprise clients.
In addition to Bee’s move to Superhuman, there have been other key personnel changes in the Pacific Northwest tech industry. Tammy Perkins, a seasoned HR executive based in Seattle, recently joined HR software provider ProService as chief people officer. Perkins brings with her a wealth of experience from companies such as Amazon, Microsoft, and HAVI. Jonathan Klein, co-founder and former CEO of Getty Images, resigned from the company’s board after playing a significant role in the company’s growth since its inception in 1995. Olly Downs, a well-known tech leader in Seattle, was appointed as chief technology and AI officer at Curinos, a fintech startup based in New York City.
Larry Hryb, who spent over 20 years at Microsoft and was a prominent figure in the Xbox community, joined game development giant Unity as director of community. Hryb, also known as Major Nelson, was a key ambassador for Xbox and hosted the Official Xbox Podcast before moving to Unity. Ryan Powell, with experience at companies like Ryder System and Whiplash, was appointed as chief revenue officer at Seattle logistics startup Pipe17. Additionally, Chris Green was named as the first president of the Pacific Northwest Hydrogen Association after working at the Washington state Department of Commerce. Portland-based nonprofit Latino Founders welcomed Juan Barraza as its new executive director, and Andrew Coté from Brinc Drones joined the Business Executives for National Security in Washington D.C.
These personnel changes reflect the dynamic nature of the tech industry in the Pacific Northwest, with executives moving between companies to bring their expertise and leadership to new ventures. The addition of experienced professionals like Chris Bee at Superhuman and Larry Hryb at Unity signals a potential for growth and innovation in their respective companies. The appointments of individuals such as Tammy Perkins, Olly Downs, and Ryan Powell in key roles highlight the importance of leadership and talent in driving success in the tech sector. Furthermore, the presence of industry veterans like Jonathan Klein and Andrew Coté on various boards and associations demonstrates a commitment to contributing to the broader tech community beyond individual companies.
Overall, the Pacific Northwest tech industry continues to see movement and change in its leadership ranks, with seasoned professionals taking on new challenges and opportunities across different sectors. The influx of talent from companies like Amazon, Microsoft, and Uber into startups and established tech companies like Superhuman and Unity bodes well for the continued growth and innovation in the region. As these executives bring their diverse experiences and skills to their new roles, the tech industry in the Pacific Northwest is poised for further development and success in the coming years.
