Amazon - St Pete EDC

Amazon is guided by four principles: customer obsession rather than competitor focus, passion for invention, commitment to operational excellence, and long-term thinking. Amazon strives to be Earth’s most customer-centric company, Earth’s best employer, and Earth’s safest place to work. Customer reviews, 1-Click shopping, personalized recommendations, Prime, Fulfillment by Amazon, AWS, Kindle Direct Publishing, Kindle, Career Choice, Fire tablets, Fire TV, Amazon Echo, Alexa, Just Walk Out technology, Amazon Studios, and The Climate Pledge are some of the things pioneered by Amazon.

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Sam Blatt
Manager, Economic Development - Florida & Carolinas
Amazon

Sam Blatt serves as Amazon’s Economic Development Manager for the Florida and the Carolinas. In this role, Sam leads efforts aimed at securing the approval and development of Amazon’s fulfillment network. Working closely with policymakers and community stakeholders, Sam streamlines project timelines, reduces costs, and mitigates uncertainties, ensuring Amazon's success as a valued long-term partner within the community.

Prior to his tenure at Amazon, Sam held the position of Economic Development Director at the Miami-Dade Beacon Council, the official economic development organization of Miami-Dade County. At the Beacon Council, he led business attraction, expansion, and retention efforts within the Life Sciences & Healthcare sector. Sam also served as the Economic Development Manager for the City of North Miami, Florida where he led day to day economic development for the city.

Sam’s contributions to the economic development field have been met with accolades like the Small Business Administration’s Advocate of the Year for the State of Florida in recognition of his work in disaster recovery efforts. Additionally, he has been honored as the recipient of the IEDC Young Economic Developer of the Year award and has been recognized among the distinguished 40 under 40 Economic Development professionals.

Sam serves on the board of United Way Suncoast and serves as Amazon’s liaison for numerous economic development boards and committees across the Southeast.

Sam holds a Master of Science in Real Estate from Florida International University as well as an MBA from Johnson & Wales University. A native Hoosier, Sam earned his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Indiana University. Sam and his wife Mellina are proud to call St. Petersburg, Florida home, where they are raising their twin daughters.