Tom Taylor '84

Where you've been in your career and where you are going...


After Virginia Tech I worked for General Motors over 10 years as an engineer and plant supervisor. I received two master's degrees from MIT while on a GM Fellowship. My wife and I pulled out a map of the U.S. and chose to move to Seattle where I took a job as plant manager for the small but fun ski company, K2. In 2000, I thought this internet thing might just take off and wrangled my way into Amazon as a director of fulfillment running several of the warehouses. If GM was too big, and K2 too small, then Amazon proved to be just right at the time. It was a fascinating journey to be part of the 'work hard, have fun, make history' ethos of Amazon over the next 22 years. I had roles in operations, seller services, payment processing and finally running Alexa. It was thrilling to work with other smart and curious people to help consumers, small and medium businesses, and enterprises. At the end of last year, I chose to retire and am currently mulling how to take my experience and strengths into the '3rd quarter' of life. 

How would you capture the essence of your work in a newspaper headline...



Applying technology to make lives better - often in disruptive ways.

A key habit, practice, or skill that's worth the effort...



An important concept I learned during my time with the Virginia Tech Rescue Squad was 'you have to take care of yourself before you can take care of the patient.' I heard this stated another way when I had a chance to ask a senior military leader what the secret to his career success was and he said 'stay healthy.’He didn't mean do push-ups and run every day (although that helps). He taught me that life will be full of opportunities and you have to be healthy in mind, body, and spirit to take advantage of them. Staying healthy includes nurturing positive relationships, finding joy in the world, following your curiosity. I invest in my 'health' every day so that I can help others.

The most formative experience I've had...



I learned the most about leadership working as a plant manager in factories. Even in a relatively hostile union environment where I was not allowed to pick up a screwdriver to help someone, I learned how to find common goals that mattered to customers. In a more flexible environment, I was proud to work with employees to make the company one of 'Fortune 50 best places to work.’It is extremely rewarding for me to help a large and diverse workforce have a better life.

My no-fail, go-for-it motivational song...




AC/DC - Highway to Hell

My favorite quote...





Fortune favors the prepared. - Pasteur

Favorite way to end the day...





Five minutes of stretching and meditation unless the dog interrupts because she wants to play. Then it's play with the dog.

The work project/initiative you're most excited about...


I have found work experiences fulfilling when I am both contributing 2/3 and learning 1/3. My last role at Amazon leading the Artificial Intelligence Alexa team was the most exciting with all the combined new challenges of machine learning/AI, hardware, software, global scale, cloud computing, and even cultural sensitivities. Post Amazon, I would like to make a dent in some of the big long term problems like global warming. I don't expect to solve it, but I like the idea of being part of the snowflake that starts the avalanche.

Fondest Virginia Tech memory or tradition...


For most of my time at Virginia Tech, I was on the Virginia Tech Rescue Squad. It was fun to learn new skills and be part of a highly dedicated group of students that were willing to pull all-night shifts to serve the community in addition to their school workload. I was elected president of the Squad my junior year (to my dismay), but I considered that time as my best example of Ut Prosim - That I May Serve.

Words of encouragement to a current Virginia Tech student...



College can be hard - mentally, emotionally, and physically (all nighters!), but also fun and uplifting and builds a little grit. See this time as the beginning of a great ride of your adult life. Cherish this time with your friends, appreciate your good fortune, and enjoy the journey as much as the destination.

Best advice I've gotten...



My experience in school taught me that if I did the work then the rewards in grades and graduation would come. The best advice I got out in the real world was 'raise your hand' if you want something. Just doing the job and hoping the boss notices you is not enough. And as a boss, it's really helpful to know what people want as not everyone wants the same thing. It could mean raising your hand for an interesting assignment, or to take the job no one else wants, or move locations. In my own experience, I didn't always get what I raised my hand for, but as I look back at the important shifts in my life, raising my hand and a bit of good timing were always part of it.

A cause I'm most passionate about...




I believe advances in technology are ultimately for the good even if disruptive in the short term. While the headlines sometimes paint a darker picture, the world is a better place in terms of nutrition, education, inclusiveness, and peace than at any other time in history. I am passionate in understanding all types of advancing technologies - AI, biology, finance, materials, etc - and how they might help make the world an even better place.

Last book I read...




Bill Gates - How to avoid a climate disaster