John Schoettler, the vice president of Amazon’s Global Real Estate and Facilities, is retiring at the end of 2024 after 23 years with the company. He led the expansion of Amazon’s office space from 1 million square feet in 2001 to over 65 million square feet in more than 60 countries today. This includes the development of a regional headquarters in Seattle and Bellevue, Washington, as well as a second headquarters in Arlington, Virginia. Throughout his tenure, Schoettler oversaw the company’s real estate initiatives during periods of conflict with Seattle civic leaders, the shift to remote work during the pandemic, and efforts to adapt office space for hybrid work arrangements as Amazon prepares to bring employees back five days a week next year.
Shannon Loew, a 20-year real estate industry veteran who joined Amazon in January 2023, will succeed Schoettler as the vice president leading the company’s Global Real Estate & Facilities team. He has been overseeing the day-to-day operations of the team since earlier this year. Schoettler announced his retirement at a Puget Sound Business Journal event where he was recognized for his achievements as an Amazon executive and in the community. Amazon praised Schoettler for his leadership in building collaborative office spaces for corporate employees globally, as well as his efforts to support local economies and communities where the company invests.
Under Schoettler’s leadership, Amazon launched community initiatives such as the Mary’s Place Family Center at its Seattle headquarters and the Neighborhood Small Business Relief Fund that provided financial aid to small businesses around Amazon’s locations during the pandemic. Schoettler also serves on the board of Seattle Children’s Hospital and the Board of Regents at Washington State University. He has previously chaired the Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce and been a member of various boards, including the Downtown Seattle Association and Cascade Public Media. Amazon expressed its gratitude for Schoettler’s contributions to embedding the company in the fabric of the communities in which it operates.
As Amazon prepares to transition back to office work five days a week, Schoettler’s retirement and Loew’s appointment come at a critical time for the company’s real estate and facilities management. With extensive experience in the industry and a year of leadership at Amazon already under his belt, Loew is poised to continue the development of Amazon’s global office space and facilities in alignment with the company’s growth and evolving work practices. His appointment signifies a new era for Amazon’s real estate and facilities team, as they navigate the challenges and opportunities that come with a changing workplace landscape.
Schoettler’s legacy at Amazon will be marked by the significant growth and development of the company’s office space worldwide, as well as his dedication to community engagement and support initiatives. His impact on Amazon’s real estate and facilities management has been instrumental in shaping the company’s presence in cities around the globe and fostering a sense of connectivity with the communities in which Amazon operates. As he transitions into retirement, Schoettler leaves behind a lasting legacy of leadership and community involvement that will continue to guide Amazon’s real estate and facilities initiatives into the future under Loew’s stewardship.
In conclusion, John Schoettler’s retirement from Amazon marks the end of an era for the company’s real estate and facilities management, as he steps down after 23 years of leading the global expansion of Amazon’s office space. Shannon Loew will succeed Schoettler as vice president of Global Real Estate & Facilities, bringing his extensive industry experience and year-long tenure at Amazon to the role. Schoettler’s community-focused initiatives and leadership have left a lasting impact on Amazon’s presence in cities worldwide, and Loew’s appointment signals a new chapter for Amazon’s real estate and facilities team as they navigate the changing landscape of office work in a post-pandemic world.
