Arun Kumar Palathumpattu Thankappan is a seasoned Cloud and AI Product Leader with over 20 years of experience in product management, enterprise architecture, and AI. Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, he has played a pivotal role in shaping cloud platforms that have transformed how organizations harness data. At Cloudwick Technologies, he continues to inspire teams, drive strategic roadmaps, and deliver innovative solutions that blend business value with technical brilliance. Known for his ability to bridge deep technical knowledge with business outcomes, Arun stands out as a thought leader in cloud transformation, intelligent data architecture, and AI-driven innovation.
Early Life and Academic Foundation
Arun built his academic foundation in India and the United States. He earned a Bachelor’s in Electronics and Communication and a Master’s in Digital Electronics from Cochin University of Science and Technology, followed by a Master’s in Computer Science at San Francisco Bay University, specializing in Big Data.
These studies equipped him with both hardware-level knowledge and advanced computing concepts, laying the groundwork for his future in cloud computing and machine learning. His academic experiences instilled not only technical acumen but also a lifelong passion for learning and mentoring the next generation of innovators.
Professional Journey
Arun began his career as a Computer & Networking Specialist, running a custom lab in India. He progressed to Unisys, contributing to the ClearPath MCP and Stealth security suite, earning several honors, including the Best Employee Award and multiple national-level coding and tech competition wins.
Later, at Cloudwick Technologies, he rose from Architect to Vice President of Product Management, leading the design and launch of Amorphic, an Amazon Web Services (AWS)-native analytics platform. Under his leadership, Cloudwick achieved multiple Amazon Web Services (AWS) competencies and secured the AWS Advanced Consulting Partner status, setting new industry benchmarks in cloud transformation.
In recognition of his contributions to cloud technology, Arun was selected as a Global Amazon Web Services (AWS) APN Ambassador in 2023, an honor bestowed on a select group of individuals worldwide who are leaders in cloud innovation and community contribution. He also serves as an AWS Certification Subject Matter Expert (SME) for Amazon, helping shape Amazon Web Services’ certification exams and advancing cloud education globally.
Leadership and Innovation
Arun’s leadership style blends visionary thinking with team empowerment. At Cloudwick, he champions a customer-centric culture and mentors emerging product leaders, aligning products with real-world client needs. His leadership on Amorphic made enterprise data strategies more accessible, secure, and efficient, simplifying data lake adoption and promoting AI integration.
Notably, he collaborates extensively with CXOs, demonstrating a rare ability to translate complex technical solutions into tangible business value.
Notable Achievements
- Chief Architect of Amorphic, transforming Amazon Web Services (AWS) analytics solutions.
- Led Cloudwick to achieve Amazon Web Services (AWS) DevOps, Machine Learning, and Public Sector competencies.
- Selected as a 2023 Amazon Web Services (AWS) APN Global Ambassador.
- AWS Certification SME, contributing to Amazon’s certification programs.
- Published “How to Deploy a Data Lake in Minutes” on Amazon Web Services (AWS).
- Honored with Best Employee, Rapid Coders, and other awards.
- Speaker at prestigious forums, including the Texas Government Data Event, where he spoke on cloud innovation and intelligent data platforms.
- Enabled successful execution of high-stakes cloud initiatives across public and private sectors.
Through these achievements, Arun has continually translated technical innovation into enterprise value, driving Cloudwick’s mission of accelerating digital transformation for clients.
Academic Contributions
Arun has also made significant contributions to academia as an Adjunct Professor at San Francisco Bay University. He designed and taught graduate-level courses in cloud computing, modernizing the curriculum with hands-on projects and real-world applications.
By fostering an inclusive, innovation-driven classroom environment, he has mentored many students toward successful careers in cloud and AI.
Future Vision and Impact
Arun’s vision is centered on democratizing data intelligence across industries, expanding AI capabilities, and making advanced cloud solutions more accessible.
He continues to lead innovations in Amorphic, advise enterprises on data strategy, and influence the future of AI-driven platforms.
Committed to continuous learning and knowledge sharing, Arun exemplifies the spirit of a modern tech leader: visionary, deeply technical, and passionately people-focused.
From humble beginnings in India to shaping the future of cloud and AI in Silicon Valley, Arun Kumar Palathumpattu Thankappan’s journey is an inspiring testament to innovation, leadership, and a relentless pursuit of excellence.
