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REI taps in-house tech chief to serve as first-ever CIO

The move illustrates how technology is playing a bigger role in customer experience solutions and business operations.

August 21, 2015

Outdoor specialty retailer REI is promoting its VP of IT, Julie Averill, into the newly created chief information officer position.

The corporate role move reflects a growing trend among companies in bringing technology deeper into the corporate operations landscape, and a REI releasestates the promotion is tied to strengthening REI’s corporate operations strategy.

"Over the past year and a half, Julie has effectively led investments in technology that enhance the employee experience and strengthen our service to more than 5.5 million members," said Eric Artz, REI’s CFO and COO, in the release. "I'm delighted to promote Julie to serve as REI’s first CIO. She hit the ground running and is leading some of our most important work streams.” Averill joined REI in 2014.
 
Averill will focus on key technology areas aligned with the co-op strategy, which includes business intelligence, strategic merchandising, retail technology, digital experiences and IT infrastructure. Her team is instrumental in the planned opening of REI’s third distribution center in Goodyear, Arizona next year, enabling faster product replenishment and delivery to 40 of REI’s 140 stores.