Keith Thurgood PhD

Advisor

Dr. Keith L. Thurgood is a retired US Army Major General. He is a Global Operations leader with diverse experience developing high-performance executive teams in complex organizations, developing strategy, growing collaborative relationships, driving change, and leading retail and service organizations, including leading part of the U.S. Army’s end-to-end business transformation effort. He has a proven history of increasing productivity and delivering results evidenced by his international business and military expertise in North America, Europe, and Asia.

Dr. Thurgood has spent years in senior leadership positions as the CEO, President, or senior executive at major retailers and service organizations including Sam’s Club, and Pepsico & Frito-Lay Inc. leading strategic development initiatives as well as productivity and optimization planning. He is an expert in applying analytics and optimization tools to reduce costs and improve operations and services in retail, healthcare, and other industries.  Based on his leadership and operational experience, he was selected by the Secretary of Defense Chief Management Officer to lead the largest global community services, retail, and grocery reform effort in a generation. Dr. Thurgood is currently the Program Director for the MS Healthcare and Leadership Management program and a Clinical Professor at the University of Texas at Dallas.