Albertsons Companies Expands Board with Appointment of Brian Rice
Albertsons Companies, Inc. (NYSE: ACI) has announced the appointment of Brian Rice to its Board of Directors, effective February 25, 2026. With this addition, the Company’s board has expanded to 11 members, reinforcing its commitment to strong governance and strategic oversight as it continues to advance its digital and technology-driven growth initiatives.
The appointment reflects Albertsons Companies’ continued focus on enhancing its leadership bench with executives who bring deep expertise in digital transformation, operational excellence, and innovation. As the retail landscape evolves rapidly, particularly in areas such as data analytics, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity, the Company is positioning itself to remain competitive and customer-centric through strategic investments in technology and digital platforms.
A Seasoned Global Technology Leader Joins the Board
Brian Rice brings more than 30 years of global technology leadership experience across some of the world’s most recognized consumer brands. He currently serves as Executive Vice President and Global Chief Information Officer at McDonald’s Corporation, where he is a member of the company’s executive leadership team. In his role, Rice oversees global technology strategy and serves as the primary liaison to the board of directors on all technology-related matters.
Throughout his career, Rice has led large-scale digital transformation initiatives, modernized enterprise technology platforms, and driven operational excellence across complex global organizations. His experience spans the implementation of modern digital ecosystems, enterprise-wide system upgrades, cybersecurity enhancements, and data-driven customer engagement strategies. This breadth of experience is expected to contribute meaningfully to Albertsons Companies’ continued transformation journey.
Susan Morris, Chief Executive Officer of Albertsons Companies, emphasized the strategic value of Rice’s appointment. She noted that his proven ability to translate digital innovation into measurable business outcomes aligns closely with the Company’s long-term strategy. Morris highlighted Rice’s expertise in modern platforms, data and artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and digital customer experiences as critical assets as Albertsons advances its technology and AI-focused initiatives.
Driving Digital Transformation at a Global Scale
In his current position at McDonald’s, Rice leads global technology, digital, data, and cybersecurity functions. He plays a central role in enabling one of the world’s largest consumer platforms to scale its digital engagement capabilities, with an ambition to exceed 250 million loyalty members by 2027. His leadership has supported the integration of advanced data analytics, personalized digital experiences, and robust cybersecurity frameworks across global operations.
Rice’s experience includes working closely with executive leadership teams and boards of directors to shape technology strategy, manage cybersecurity risks, and oversee large-scale enterprise transformations. His expertise extends beyond technology infrastructure to encompass strategic planning, risk management, and cross-functional alignment—areas that are increasingly critical in today’s complex retail and consumer environments.
In addition, Rice has developed a deep understanding of global supply chains, digital-first retail strategies, and consumer engagement models. These competencies are particularly relevant to Albertsons Companies as it continues to refine its omnichannel capabilities, optimize supply chain operations, and deliver more seamless and personalized customer experiences across its physical and digital platforms.
Alignment with Albertsons’ Technology and AI Strategy
Albertsons Companies has articulated a clear strategic vision centered on earning customers for life by delivering personalized, seamless, and trusted experiences. The Company has identified technology and artificial intelligence as key pillars supporting this strategy, investing in data platforms, digital commerce, loyalty programs, and advanced analytics to enhance customer engagement and operational efficiency.
Rice’s background in leading enterprise technology modernization efforts positions him to provide valuable oversight and guidance as the Company pursues its “big bets” in technology and AI. His familiarity with implementing scalable digital architectures and driving measurable performance improvements is expected to strengthen board-level discussions around innovation, risk, and long-term value creation.
Upon his appointment, Rice expressed his appreciation for the opportunity to join the Board of Directors. He noted that Albertsons Companies has a well-defined strategy and strong momentum in digital transformation. He conveyed his enthusiasm for collaborating with fellow board members and the management team to further advance the Company’s technology, digital, and AI initiatives, while continuing to foster innovation across the organization.
Broad Leadership Experience Across Fortune 500 Companies
Prior to joining McDonald’s, Rice held senior technology leadership roles at several Fortune 500 companies, including Cardinal Health, Kellogg Company, General Motors, and Mars, Incorporated. In these roles, he led enterprise technology organizations and managed complex global operations.
Across these organizations, Rice was responsible for modernizing legacy systems, implementing large-scale enterprise platforms, and advancing digital-first strategies to drive growth and operational efficiency. His leadership helped organizations streamline processes, enhance cybersecurity resilience, and deepen customer engagement through innovative digital solutions.
Rice holds a bachelor’s degree in computer information systems from Ferris State University, providing a strong academic foundation for his decades-long career in technology leadership. His combination of technical expertise, strategic insight, and executive-level governance experience is expected to enhance the effectiveness of Albertsons Companies’ board as it navigates a rapidly evolving retail environment.
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