Badger Technologies names retail industry veteran John Gehre as CEO and boosts leadership team
Badger Technologies, a provider of autonomous retail robotics and AI powered retail intelligence solutions, has announced the appointment of John Gehre as Chief Executive Officer, alongside expanded leadership roles for Chris Green and Paul Ambruso, and the formation of the company's inaugural strategic advisory board.
Gehre brings more than 25 years of executive leadership experience spanning merchandising, inventory management, supply chain and store operations for retailers including Bass Pro Shops, Michaels, The Container Store and H-E-B.
“Having spent more than two decades on the frontlines of large retail organisations, I've seen firsthand how difficult it can be to make the right decisions when information is fragmented across teams, systems and stores,” he says. “Retailers are entering a new era where robotics and AI are moving from experimentation to operational necessity. What attracted me to Badger Technologies is its ability to turn operational data into actionable intelligence, helping retailers see around corners, align teams, and act with greater confidence.”
“The company has built a strong foundation and earned the trust of leading retailers, and I'm excited to build on that momentum as we expand our impact and help make intelligence a strategic advantage for every retailer, from the store floor to the executive suite.”
“John’s extensive background in retail operations, merchandising strategy, and customer centric leadership uniquely positions him to lead Badger Technologies into its next chapter,” says Rafael Renno, Senior Vice President of Global Business Units, Connected Living and Digital Commerce at Badger Technologies owner Jabil. “Coupled with the strategic oversight of its advisory board, this transition reinforces the company’s ability to help retailers navigate complex operating environments, maximising both workforce productivity and real-time operational visibility through physical AI.”
Badger Technologies has also announced expanded leadership roles for Chris Green and Paul Ambruso. Green has been appointed Chief Commercial Officer and will continue leading its commercial organisation, including customer success, strategic partnerships, revenue operations, enterprise sales and marketing.
Ambruso has been appointed Chief Technology Officer and will hed up the company's technology strategy, product development, AI, computer vision, cloud platforms, analytics and engineering operations. He brings more than 25 years of leadership experience spanning robotics, automation, enterprise technology, product management and digital transformation. Prior to joining Badger Technologies, he held senior leadership positions at Berkshire Grey, HP, Compaq and Lexmark.
The advisory board, meanwhile, includes:
Pamela Kohn
Kohn is the former Chief Merchandising Officer for Rite Aid, Sally Beauty, and Family Dollar. Her 13-year Walmart career involved multiple key global leadership roles as President and Executive Vice President.
Jeff Williams
Williams is a strategic advisor to boards and C-suite leaders across consumer, retail, data, analytics, media and technology companies, helping organisations accelerate growth, modernise commercial capabilities and unlock new sources of enterprise value. Previously, he held officer and executive level roles including Chief Retail Officer at Quotient, Chief Commercial Officer at Replenium, and SVP U.S. Retail, Amazon Global, and Industry Relations at NielsenIQ.
Michael Graen
A former Walmart, Procter & Gamble and CROSSMARK executive, Graen has more than 45 years of experience leading retail technology, supply chain innovation and inventory intelligence initiatives.
Alex Yakulis
Yakulis is a consumer goods and retail executive with 45 years of experience spanning CPG manufacturers, retailers, and headquarter sales agencies. Drawing on decades of leadership in retail strategy, retail execution, and digital commerce, he helps brands and retailers accelerate growth through customer centric innovation and effective go to-market strategies.
Suzy Monford
With leadership experience spanning Kroger, H-E-B, Heritage Grocers Group, and both Woolworths and Coles in Australia, she has focused on driving merchandising, operational excellence, digital innovation and customer centric growth across large scale retail organisations.
Randy Salley
A technology executive, strategic advisor and board member for companies ranging from the Fortune 1 to early stage technology startups, he has more than four decades of experience leading enterprise technology, retail innovation, operational transformation and large scale digital modernisation. He previously served as Senior Vice President of Walmart Technology, where he helped drive technology strategy and transformation at the world's largest retailer.
Brand Elverston
Elverston is a retail risk management and asset protection executive with expertise in large scale technology deployment, operational security, loss prevention and enterprise wide risk mitigation strategies. Former Director of Asset Protection Strategic Initiatives at Walmart, he is recognised for helping retailers integrate emerging technologies that improve safety, operational performance and business resilience at scale.
"The retail industry has entered an era where autonomous operations, AI driven intelligence, and robotics are fundamentally reshaping how retailers improve execution and drive profitable growth," says Jeff Williams. "Badger Technologies is uniquely positioned at the convergence of these transformative forces, helping retailers across all channels of trade move from reactive operations to intelligent, data driven decision making.”
2026 RTIH Innovation Awards
AI will be a key focus area at the 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards.
The awards are now open for entries and celebrate global retail technology innovation in a fast moving omnichannel world.
Our winners will be revealed at the 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards Ceremony, taking place at The HAC in Central London on Wednesday, 4th November.
Check out our 2025 winners here.
Our 2025 hall of fame entrants were revealed during a sold out event which took place at The HAC on 16th October and consisted of a drinks reception, three course meal, and awards ceremony presided over by award winning comedian, actress and writer Tiff Stevenson.
In his welcome speech, Scott Thompson, Founder and Editor, RTIH, said: “This is the awards’ fifth year as a physical event. We started off with just 30 people at the South Place Hotel not far from here, then moved to London Bridge Hotel, then The Barbican, and last year RIBA’s HQ in the West End.”
“But I’m conscious of the fact that, to quote the legend that is Taylor Swift, You’re only as hot as your last hit, baby. So, this year we’ve moved to our biggest venue yet, and also pulled in our largest number of entries to date and broken attendance records.”
He added: “This year’s submissions have without doubt been our best yet. To quote one of the judges: The examples of innovative developments across both traditional and digital retail spaces were truly remarkable.”
Congratulations to our winners, and a big thank you to our sponsors, judging panel, the legend that is Tiff Stevenson, and all those who attended our 2025 gathering.
