Amazon taps Alexa executive as Leo satellite business’s first finance VP

• Mike Recupero is the first VP of finance for Amazon’s Leo satellite business.
• Amazon is putting together a seasoned leadership team for Leo.
• Amazon expects Leo to generate meaningful growth and returns.

Amazon’s Leo satellite business has appointed its first dedicated finance VP, another sign the company is building the satellite venture into a more independent business.

Mike Recupero, who most recently served as Alexa’s finance chief, was named Leo’s VP of finance earlier this month, according to people familiar with the move. The newly created role makes him the first VP solely overseeing Leo’s finances.

Previously, Recupero spent about a year as GameStop’s CFO after serving as finance chief for several Amazon businesses, including Prime Video and North America retail.

Until now, Leo’s finances were overseen by executives who also managed Alexa, supported by more junior finance leaders.

The appointment reflects how Amazon is assembling a seasoned leadership team around Leo, formerly known as Project Kuiper.

Over the past two years, Leo has also recruited former GitLab chief revenue officer Chris Weber as vice president of sales and marketing and former T-Mobile executive Clint Patterson as chief marketing officer. VP of technology Rajeev Badyal leads the overall Leo business and reports to Panos Panay, SVP of devices, Alexa, and Leo.

Recupero will primarily oversee Leo’s multibillion-dollar infrastructure buildout, including satellite manufacturing and launches, as well as the integration of Globalstar, the satellite communications company Amazon is acquiring for $11.6 billion, the people said.

Amit Singh has replaced Recupero as Alexa’s finance lead.

Leo is one of Amazon’s biggest long-term bets beyond its core retail and cloud businesses. CEO Andy Jassy previously said Leo already had a series of revenue commitments from enterprise and government customers and is expected to generate meaningful growth and returns for Amazon. The company said earlier this month that Leo has completed 14 missions and launched 396 satellites so far, making it the third-largest satellite constellation in orbit.

Wall Street is also growing more bullish on the business. Bank of America recently estimated Leo could generate $20 billion to $25 billion in annual revenue by 2032 and eventually be worth $200 billion to $275 billion.

The growing enthusiasm has not eliminated the risks. A Blue Origin rocket that Amazon plans to use for future Leo missions exploded during a ground test in June. Leo’s VP Badyal sought to reassure employees at the time, saying such setbacks are an expected part of spaceflight and that the company would continue pressing ahead.

Amazon declined to comment.

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