Jim Takatsuka
Sr. Commercial Account Manager
Amazon Web Services
Jim Takatsuka is a Mentor Hawaii Cohort 11 mentor and has mentored for more than 5 years! Learn more about the program here.
About Jim
Jim Takatsuka serves as Commercial Account Manager for Amazon Web Services, leading AWS’s commercial growth initiatives across Hawaii. His career spans more than two decades of technology leadership, including twenty years at Microsoft where he was most recently responsible for its DoD business in the Pacific and held pivotal roles across commercial, state/local, and education markets. He previously served as Executive Vice President at Pacxa, a leading Hawaii-based systems integrator, and led Hawaii operations for Sun Microsystems during a transformative era in cloud computing.
Jim began his career at Apple Computer in the Bay Area, supporting software development for major West Coast customers before returning to the islands to establish Apple’s education business in Hawaii. He’s an alumnus of the University of California, Berkeley, and serves on the boards of the Aloha United Way and Child and Family Service.
Question and Answer with Jim
What is your preferred communication style when mentoring (in-person, video conference, phone, informal check-ins, structured meetings, etc.)?
In-Person, Video Conference, Email, Phone Call, Text / SMS.
Why do you want to become a mentor in this program?
As a business leader and athletics coach, I enjoy helping people to maximize their potential. The mentor program has also been very rewarding for me, as I learn so much from the mentees I’ve had the pleasure of working with.
What specific skills, knowledge or experience can you share with your mentee?
Strategic planning; understanding how modern technologies can transform organizations; finding the value proposition in complex situations; effectively leading and working in cross-functional teams
What are your expectations for a mentor-mentee relationship?
My only expectation is working with someone who is open to learning.
How do you approach problem-solving and conflict resolution?
Communication, always. Seek the common outcome and work towards agreement on each party’s accountability to move towards that outcome.
How do you envision success for your mentee, and how will you measure it during the program?
Success is determined by the mentee. I want to understand what they hope to learn or achieve during our time together and if it’s within my expertise, we will work together towards that goal.