Foodservice products distributor McLane has opened a new technology hub in Austin, TX to support its technology and AI acceleration strategy and to expand its growing Information Technology and Digital (IT&D) team.

According to McLane, opening a location in Austin — a known tech hotbed — gives the company access to a large and diverse talent pool to support its technology and data strategy. The office brings together McLane’s growing IT&D team and will support about 100 employees focused on cybersecurity, data, AI and cloud engineering.

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Temple, TX-based McLane said it is accelerating its digital transformation through targeted technology investments with a strategy that focuses on automation, real-time visibility and simplified digital experiences, supported by AI-based tools and solutions.

The IT&D team is led by Chief Information and Digital Officer Murat Genc, who joined McLane in September 2024. He oversees the company’s digital, AI and technology operations and previously held leadership roles at Whirlpool and Procter & Gamble.

Four new technology leaders have also joined the IT&D team:

• Tanya Coutray, VP and Retail CIDO, has over 25 years of experience in data, analytics and AI, with past roles at AWS, Walmart and T-Mobile
• Nick Elizondo, VP of Enterprise and Supply Chain Platforms, has held supply chain and technology roles at PepsiCo, Frito-Lay and Keurig Dr Pepper
• Juan Gomez-Sanchez, VP of Cybersecurity, previously led cybersecurity at Whirlpool and is focused on strengthening McLane’s security programs
• Sid Kulkarni, VP of Data, Analytics and AI, has experience in data systems and engineering at Intel, Oracle, Lowe’s and FICO

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“Our strategic investments in digital supply chain, cloud, data and AI foundation are laying the groundwork for a future-ready logistics, retail and food services model — one that delivers exceptional service, seamless integration and personalized insights across our ecosystem,” Genec said in an Aug. 27 news release.

McLane brands itself as one of the United States’ largest distributor partners to major retail and restaurant brands. On Aug. 21, the company announced that it added five new national restaurant brands to its customer portfolio: Carl’s Jr., Panera Bread, Steak ‘n Shake, Subway and Wendy’s.