Breez AI has added Gary Koch, CEO of Associated Wholesale Grocers (AWG), to its board of directors and named David Stukus as VP of sales and customer success.
The leadership additions come as Breez AI accelerates growth across retailers, prepares to deploy its next‑generation AI platform, and unlocks new monetization capabilities for independent grocers.
“Breez AI is at a defining moment, not only for the company but for the future of independent grocery,” said Tal Zlotnitsky, founder and CEO of Breez AI.
“As AI continues to reshape retail, the question is no longer whether this technology will be adopted, but who will benefit. Gary and Dave each bring critical expertise that will help ensure independent grocers are not only part of that future but leading it.”
AWG was among the earliest and largest investors in Breez AI and recently expanded its investment. Koch’s appointment to the board strengthens the alignment between Breez AI and AWG, one of the nation’s largest cooperative grocery wholesalers serving more than 1,100 member companies and 3,500 locations.
“Gary’s appointment to the board is a natural extension of the strong and meaningful partnership we’ve built with AWG,” Zlotnitsky shared. “AWG has put real operational weight behind us, not just capital, with their team working alongside ours on everything from data flows and integrations to store onboarding and marketing. Having Gary on the board extends that same hands‑on partnership into how we govern the company.”
Koch shared, “Independent grocers are navigating one of the most significant shifts our industry has seen in decades. Breez AI is delivering a white‑labeled solution that allows our community to stay on the cutting edge as consumer habits shift.
“In my role on the board, I look forward to helping ensure the company scales with strong financial discipline, supports continued advancement of its technology platform, and unlocks new monetization opportunities for retailers. Our focus will remain on delivering measurable value while equipping the independent channel with tools and capabilities that have traditionally been reserved for national chains.”
Stukus joins Breez AI as VP of sales and customer success, leading go‑to‑market strategy, customer engagement and partner expansion. He spent nearly 15 years in leadership roles at Finast and Tops Markets.
“Breez AI is solving a real and urgent need for independent grocers, where my roots are,” Stukus said. “What excites me most is the ability to help retailers translate this technology into tangible results, whether that’s stronger customer engagement, increased basket size, or deeper loyalty. I’m looking forward to working closely with our partners as we scale adoption across the market.”
[RELATED: Breez AI Appoints Former AWG CEO Smith Board Chairman]