Best Buy Appoints Neal Sample As New Technology Chief To Boost Digital Strategy
A Best Buy retail store
Best Buy has named Neal Sample as its new chief digital and technology officer, bringing in a seasoned executive with a wide-ranging background to accelerate the company’s digital transformation. He will start on July 14, 2025
Sample most recently served as executive vice president and CIO at Walgreens Boots Alliance, where he held the role for just under two years. That was proceeded by the CIO post at Northwestern Mutual and being promoted from CIO to COO of Express Scripts prior to its purchase by Cigna. He is also a past Group President of Enterprise Growth at American Express. Sample also has a PhD in Computer Science from Stanford University.
Neal Sample
He succeeds Brian Tilzer, who joined Best Buy in 2018 and carried the title of Chief Digital, Analytics, and Technology Officer of the company. He joined Best Buy after having been the Chief Digital Officer of CVS Health.
In a note to employees, CEO Corie Barry praised Sample’s breadth of experience across both traditional and tech-driven organizations. “Neal has a unique background, having spent time in legacy businesses as well as in high-tech and digitally native companies,” Barry wrote, the latter referring to Sample’s stints at the likes of eBay and Yahoo!. She also noted that his leadership approach is expected to help Best Buy move “with greater speed, clarity and conviction.”
“I’m thrilled to join Best Buy at such a pivotal moment,” Sample underscored. “It’s a brand I’ve long admired with a strong foundation and a clear commitment to innovation. I’m excited to partner with the team to accelerate digital initiative and deliver increasing value to customers.”
The leadership change comes as Best Buy works to sharpen its digital edge in an increasingly competitive consumer electronics landscape.
Peter High is President of Metis Strategy, a business and IT advisory firm. He has written three bestselling books, including his latest Getting to Nimble. He also moderates the Technovation podcast series and speaks at conferences around the world. Follow him on Twitter @PeterAHigh.