AUSTIN, Texas. (Sept. 24, 2015) – Whole Foods Market Executive Vice President and Chief Information Officer Jason Buechel has been recognized by FORTUNE magazine as one of the 40 most influential young people in business.
Buechel, 37, is No. 11 on the magazine’s 2015 “40 Under 40” list. He is responsible for all aspects of technology at Whole Foods Market and was recently promoted from global vice president and chief information officer to executive vice president and chief information officer, making him the youngest member of the company’s executive team.
“Jason is an integral part of Whole Foods Market’s leadership team, and we are proud to see his talents recognized with this well-deserved accomplishment,” said Walter Robb, co-CEO of Whole Foods Market. “He continues to play a pivotal role in leading the company’s technology advancements and digital engagement, which is critical for improving the customer and team member experience and our ability to compete in a rapidly evolving retail environment.”
FORTUNE highlighted Buechel’s role in forging Whole Foods’s Market’s partnership with Instacart, implementing Apple Pay, testing the company’s first rewards program and developing systems that give full traceability to the supply chain and better inform customers about products’ nutritional and allergen information.
“We may think we live in the age of the tech unicorn, but disruption is coming at us from all corners of industry, as our 2015 ranking of the most influential young people in business shows,” FORTUNE editors wrote of this year’s list. “The one thing these mavericks have in common: They make their own rules. For the first time our list is 100% brand-new.”
Whole Foods Market is the only grocery retailer and food company represented on this year’s “40 Under 40” list.
