Bentonville software provider Ox has a new COO

After several successful stints building and exiting large companies, supply chain executive Chris Halkyard has joined Bentonville software provider Ox as its new chief operations officer. The company shared the details in a news release Tuesday (May 14).

Halkyard will fill the role previously held by Brent Sperry, who will transition out of the role after three years with the company.

“We are thrilled to welcome Chris to the Ox team,” said Charu Thomas, founder and CEO of Ox. “Chris’ wealth of experience and strategic vision will be instrumental in propelling Ox to new heights. Chris’s appointment underscores our commitment to delivering extraordinary value to our clients and reinforces our position as a leader in the supply chain and logistics industry.”

According to the release, Halkyard has over three decades of experience and is a former C-Suite executive at Gilt.com and Blue Apron. He has also held executive roles at Toys” R” Us and BarkBox.

“I am honored to join Ox and contribute to its mission of revolutionizing industrial operations with Human Centered Automation,” Halkyard said. “I look forward to leveraging my experience to further enhance Ox’s operational capabilities, ensuring we deliver unparalleled value to our clients and set new benchmarks for efficiency and innovation across the supply chain.”

Halkyard will oversee all company operations, from sales to human resources. Thomas said his main goal is to streamline internal processes, advancing Ox’s mission to transform the connection between humans and automation.

Ox is an order fulfillment platform that leverages machine learning to assist retailers in supply chain optimization. The company aims to level the playing field for retailers by providing accessible, scalable, and beneficial technology to businesses.

Thomas started the company as an engineering undergraduate and researcher at the Georgia Institute of Technology. The company won the Atlanta Startup Battle and was a TC Top Pick for TechCrunch Disrupt San Francisco 2019. In 2019, Thomas relocated to Northwest Arkansas.

Through software automation, artificial intelligence (AI) and wearable technology, Ox has pioneered a supply chain operator experience.

Ox, which has 40 employees, has raised over $16 million since its launch in 2019. A company spokesman did not disclose any company financial information.