Uber VP of operations stepping down, will stay on board

SAN FRANCISCO (UPI) — Ryan Graves, a longtime Uber executive and the first employee hired by the company, announced Thursday he’s leaving his position in September.

Despite his departure as senior vice president of operations, Graves said he plans to stay on the board of the ride-hailing company.

“In some ways my focus going forward will not actually change very much,” Graves said in an email to employees. “It remains all about people, and it’s clear to me the stability of our board of directors, the selection of our new CEO, and the empowerment of our management team is what is needed most. So I will do everything in my power to deliver on those goals for the benefit of our organization and the millions of people — riders, drivers, eaters and couriers — and their communities that Uber serves every day.”

Uber co-founder Travis Kalanick hired Graves in 2010, and he briefly served as the CEO of the company. He handed over the position to Kalanick, who resigned in June after months of scandal saw investors lose faith in him.

Graves said he plans to focus on his role on Uber’s board and help in the search for a new CEO.

“My hope is that ensuring my transition is known and planned for well before our board’s decision on CEO it will help to make it clear to our team and to our new leader that I will be there to support however I can,” he said.

Written by UPI writer Danielle Haynes

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