Director of Operations at Amazon Air: We ‘lead by asking questions to learn first’

Stewart was the Air Hub’s first female general manager and was recently named Director of Operations, according to Spectrum News. She is the first woman to hold this position and one of only three women worldwide with the same title at Amazon Air. Stewart encourages women to believe in themselves and claim their space in the industry. She oversees hundreds of employees and the largest Amazon robotics floor, while also dedicating time to Amazon’s women’s initiative. 

She supports Amazon’s associates moving forward with their goals: “Give the vision, give the goals, give the team the trails. And as long as they keep moving forward, then we’re winning. We’re winning together,” she said.

All employees at the KCVG Air Hub have access to "industry-leading" pay and benefits as well as a variety of resources such as Career Choice which helps employees pursue a future outside the company if they choose, according to About Amazon.

"Our employees are the heart and soul of this operation," said Sarah Rhoads, Amazon’s VP of Workplace Safety.

The Amazon Air Hub partnered with Duke Energy to enhance its sustainability efforts by installing Kentucky's largest utility-scale rooftop solar array, according to the NKY Business Journal. This project features over 5,600 photovoltaic panels on the Air Hub's 800,000-square-foot rooftop, generating up to 2 megawatts of solar power. This energy is fed directly into the electric distribution grid, providing clean electricity to approximately 400 homes and businesses in Northern Kentucky.

Jess Stewart is from Paris Crossing, Indiana. She received her undergraduate degree from Purdue University.