Ryan Graves (businessman)

Ryan Graves is an American businessman best known for being the first CEO of Uber Technologies Inc. He joined Uber as its first employee in 2010 after responding to a tweet by Travis Kalanick.

Graves initially served as the company's general manager and later became its CEO. Under his leadership, Uber experienced significant growth, expanding its operations and establishing its presence in numerous cities worldwide. He focused on building the operational infrastructure and scaling the company's workforce during its early years.

In 2011, Graves transitioned from CEO to the role of Senior Vice President of Global Operations. He continued to play a key role in Uber's expansion and operational strategies. He stepped down from his full-time operating role at Uber in 2017, remaining on the board of directors.

Graves co-founded Saltwater Capital, an investment firm, which invests in early and growth-stage technology companies. He is also involved in other entrepreneurial ventures.