Uber's First Employee Ryan Graves Steps Down From Board of Directors
Ryan Graves, Uber's very first hire and a former CEO, officially resigns from the ride-hailing company's board of directors. His departure comes just weeks after Uber completes its rocky initial public offering.
Ryan Graves officially resigns from Uber’s board of directors, marking the end of an era for the ride-hailing giant's very first employee. Graves joins the company back in 2010 after replying to a now-famous tweet from co-founder Travis Kalanick, ultimately serving a brief stint as CEO before moving into an operations role and later joining the board.
Independent board chair Ron Sugar praises Graves for his decade-long contributions, noting that his insights help Uber navigate the complex ups and downs of its massive growth. While Sugar calls the departure a bittersweet moment, he confirms that the board accepts Graves's personal decision to step away from his director duties.
This high-profile exit occurs just weeks after Uber completes its long-anticipated initial public offering, an event that reportedly earns Graves roughly $1 billion. However, the company's stock struggles since its market debut, currently trading below its initial offering price as the newly public business faces ongoing financial turbulence.