Supply chain technology startup Auger, founded by former Amazon Worldwide Consumer CEO Dave Clark, has announced its initial executive leadership team following its recent $100 million Series A funding round. The Bellevue, Washington-based company has appointed 11 seasoned executives, many of whom have previous experience at Amazon.
Clark, who returned to the Seattle area from Texas to establish the startup, explained that while he didn’t specifically target Amazon veterans, their expertise in supply chain and data infrastructure made them natural fits for the organization. The shared Amazon background provides an advantage, as team members “come from the same family” and share a common business language, according to Clark.
Among the notable appointments is Russell Allgor as chief supply chain scientist, bringing 24 years of Amazon experience where he specialized in fulfillment and network optimization systems. Sanjay Dash joins as chief engineer, leveraging his background in developing Amazon’s Just Walk Out technology and other AI solutions. AJ Wilhoit, the new chief product officer, contributed to launching Amazon Prime Now and various consumer delivery initiatives during his tenure at the e-commerce giant.
The executive team also includes Alex Ceballos as CFO and president, who previously managed Amazon’s acquisition of Kiva Systems and established Amazon Air. Jessica Amato takes on the role of chief people officer, bringing human resources expertise from both Amazon and various startups. Brian Lent, who established Amazon’s first AI and data mining group, joins as chief analytics and data officer.
Demonstrating a commitment to diverse experience, Auger has also recruited talent from outside the Amazon ecosystem. Parikshit Savjani, the new vice president of customer success, brings 15 years of Microsoft experience in cloud solutions and database management.
Additional appointments include Andrew Borthwick as principal scientist, Jared Caldwell as principal user experience leader, Jen White as general counsel, and Caitlin Dietrich as head of marketing and communications. Each brings specialized expertise from their respective backgrounds at Amazon and other organizations.
The startup, which secured its substantial Series A funding from venture capital firm Oak HC/FT, aims to develop an AI-powered system that will streamline supply chain operations through data unification, efficiency optimization, and automated insights. Clark indicated that product demonstrations are scheduled to begin in late February or early March, with initial customer rollout planned for late spring or early summer.
Auger has already made a notable impact in the Pacific Northwest tech scene, securing the 194th position on the GeekWire 200, a ranking of the region’s top technology startups. This achievement is particularly remarkable given the company’s young age.
The startup plans to continue expanding its team beyond Amazon alumni, seeking diverse talent and experiences to support its mission of revolutionizing supply chain technology. While the company hasn’t yet committed to a specific cloud technology platform for building its products and services, its leadership team’s varied background suggests a comprehensive approach to technological development.
With its strong leadership team now in place and significant financial backing, Auger is positioning itself to make a substantial impact in the supply chain technology sector, leveraging artificial intelligence and automation to address industry inefficiencies and optimize operations for its future clients.