Becoming AWSome featuring Duane Ellerbe, Manager Data Center Operations

In this latest episode of Becoming AWSome, Ray Thomas had the pleasure of sitting down with Duane Ellerbe, Manager of Data Center Operations within AWS’s Infrastructure Organization. 🎙️ It was just me hosting this time, and I couldn’t have asked for a better guest to spotlight! Duane shared his incredible journey, starting with his 26 years of service in the United States Air Force, including 15 deployments. He also spoke about his role as the Director of BEN-BOLD, Amazon’s Black Employee Network subgroup, dedicated to Building Opportunities for Leadership in Data Centers —a truly inspiring initiative. We explored how Duane’s military background in IT, combined with his passion for leadership, has shaped his approach at AWS, where he now leads critical data center operations. 🏢💼

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Duane’s path from military service to AWS was fascinating, as he shared stories of setting up comm systems in remote, electricity-free zones and adapting to new roles through what he calls “voluntold” duty—a term many veterans will relate to! His transition into the tech world at AWS has been seamless, thanks to the skills he developed over decades of managing complex IT systems and leadership positions. Duane gave us a glimpse into the world of data center operations at AWS, explaining the importance of collaboration, learning on the go, and taking ownership. It was truly an episode full of insights and inspiration. 🌟 Whether you’re interested in military-to-tech career transitions or just want to understand more about AWS’s infrastructure, this is an episode you won’t want to miss! 🚀 #BecomingAWSome #Leadership #DataCenters #MilitarytoTech