Technology

Walmart automation leader joins GS1 US board of governors

May 16, 2023

Bala Prasanna, VP of store automation and innovation at Walmart, has been named to the GS1 US board of governors. The organization aims to drive adoption and use of GS1 standards for the retail, grocery, healthcare, apparel, general merchandise and foodservice sectors, according to a press release.

"Bala's leadership in driving automation throughout Walmart's supply chain is invaluable as we continue to support our members with their own modernization efforts," Bob Carpenter, president and CEO, GS1 US, said in the release. "In an increasingly digital-first world, his expertise will be valuable for GS1 US as we continue to help industry not only connect digital and physical commerce to unify the shopping experience for consumers but also to increase supply chain visibility, traceability and efficiency."

In his current role, Prasanna leads a team that supports automation and innovation for U.S. Walmart stores. Having joined Walmart in 2000, Prasanna has worked for more than 20 years in IT and more recently was vice president of pricing at Sam's Club. Prior to joining Walmart, he worked as a consultant, managing clients based in Europe. Prasanna earned a master of business degree from the University of Arkansas and an engineering degree in computer science from Ambedkar University, India.

The GS1 US board of governors comprises executives from leading organizations including Amazon; The Coca-Cola Co.; Dot Foods Inc.; eBay Inc.; Golden State Foods; Google; The J.M. Smucker Co.; Massachusetts Institute of Technology; PepsiCo Inc.; The Procter & Gamble Co.; Publix Inc.; PVH Corp.; Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada; Sysco Corp.; Topco Associates LLC; Wakefern Food Corp.; Walmart; and Wegmans Food Markets Inc.