Barry Padgett is resigning as CEO of Amperity, a Seattle startup, in order to spend more time with his teenage children. In his new role as an advisor, he will be able to assist his kids as they embark on their academic journeys. Padgett has been with Amperity since 2020, starting as president and chief operating officer before becoming CEO in 2022. He stated that the company just came off a record quarter and turned a substantial profit for the first time.
Chris Jones, the chief customer and product officer at Amperity, will take over as interim CEO following Padgett’s resignation. Jones joined the company in 2018 and previously worked at Microsoft for over 26 years. He praised Padgett’s leadership and vision, noting that the company has become stronger under his guidance. Amperity is known for helping companies improve their targeted marketing campaigns by connecting various data sources about individual customer habits.
Founded in 2016, Amperity reached unicorn status in July 2021 after raising $100 million and achieving a $1 billion valuation. However, the company has gone through several rounds of layoffs since August 2022, leading to a reduction in its workforce. Despite these challenges, Amperity introduced Lakehouse CDP to assist companies in managing customer data more effectively. Currently, the company has around 300 employees, down from nearly 400 in early 2023.
Padgett took on the role of CEO at Amperity after the departure of co-founder Kabir Shahani, who left voluntarily for personal reasons. Shahani also stepped down from the company’s board. Since leaving Amperity, Shahani has co-founded a new startup called Avante that focuses on empowering a healthier workforce and bottom line. Meanwhile, Amperity’s other co-founder Derek Slager remains in his original role as chief technology officer.
The company’s board of directors includes industry leaders such as Concur co-founder and Accolade CEO Raj Singh, Madrona Managing Director Matt McIlwain, former Starbucks president and CEO Kevin Johnson, and music artist Ciara. Despite the recent challenges faced by the company, Jones is optimistic about the future of Amperity under his interim leadership. He acknowledged the transformative journey that Amperity has undergone in recent years, crediting Padgett’s vision and guidance for navigating various obstacles.
Overall, Amperity has positioned itself as a key player in the marketing industry, helping companies improve their customer data management and targeted marketing strategies. While facing internal changes and external challenges, the company continues to adapt and evolve under new leadership. Jones will be tasked with guiding Amperity through this transitional period, ensuring that the company remains on track to achieve its goals and uphold its reputation as an innovative and forward-thinking organization.
