Key Takeaways
- Kelly Garcia has been named Ulta Beauty’s new Chief Technology Officer, effective August 31 2026, and will resign from the company’s Board of Directors upon assuming the role.
- Garcia brings more than 25 years of leadership in global e‑commerce, customer loyalty, digital innovation, and cybersecurity, most recently serving as Executive Vice President and CTO of Domino’s Pizza.
- His appointment aligns with Ulta Beauty’s “Ulta Beauty Unleashed” strategy, which seeks to strengthen technology capabilities, drive market‑share growth, and deliver long‑term value to stakeholders.
- Ulta Beauty remains the largest U.S. specialty beauty retailer, operating over 1,500 stores, a robust e‑commerce platform, and expanding internationally through Space NK, a Mexico joint venture, and a Middle‑East franchise.
- The press release includes standard forward‑looking‑statement disclosures, noting that actual results may differ due to economic, competitive, regulatory, and other factors beyond the company’s control.
Announcement of Kelly Garcia as Chief Technology Officer
Ulta Beauty, Inc. (NASDAQ: ULTA) announced on July 14, 2026 that Kelly Garcia has been appointed Chief Technology Officer, with the appointment taking effect on August 31, 2026. The news was disseminated via a Business Wire press release, indicating that Garcia will step down from the Ulta Beauty Board of Directors as of his start date as CTO. This move places a seasoned technology executive at the helm of the retailer’s digital and technical functions, signaling a commitment to bolstering its technology infrastructure in support of broader strategic goals.
Garcia’s Existing Relationship with Ulta Beauty
Prior to his CTO appointment, Kelly Garcia had been a member of Ulta Beauty’s Board of Directors since 2022. In that capacity, he contributed business insights and technology expertise, particularly concerning emerging trends such as artificial intelligence. His board experience gave him an intimate understanding of Ulta’s operations, culture, and strategic direction, making the transition to an executive role a natural progression for both Garcia and the company.
CEO Kecia Steelman’s Endorsement
Kecia Steelman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Ulta Beauty, praised Garcia’s track record, noting his impactful contributions as a board member and highlighting his extensive leadership background. Steelman emphasized that Garcia’s more than 25 years of experience across global e‑commerce, customer loyalty, digital innovation, and cybersecurity will be a valuable asset as Ulta continues to advance its technology capabilities and execute the Ulta Beauty Unleashed strategy aimed at driving market‑share growth and creating long‑term value for stakeholders.
Leadership at Domino’s Pizza
Most recently, Garcia served as Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer of Domino’s Pizza, a position he held since July 2012. In that role, he was responsible for shaping the company’s technology vision and overseeing the development and implementation of strategic technology initiatives that supported Domino’s global operations. His tenure at Domino’s involved leading large‑scale digital transformations, enhancing online ordering platforms, integrating data analytics for personalized marketing, and strengthening cybersecurity defenses across an extensive franchise network.
Earlier Experience at R. L. Polk & Company
Before joining Domino’s, Garcia held the position of Vice President of Business Intelligence and North American Operations for R. L. Polk & Company. There, he directed business‑intelligence initiatives, leveraged data to inform operational decisions, and managed large‑scale projects aimed at improving efficiency and customer insight across North American markets. This experience provided him with a solid foundation in analytics, reporting, and operational optimization—skills that are directly transferable to Ulta Beauty’s data‑driven retail environment.
Academic Credentials
Kelly Garcia earned a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Engineering from The Ohio State University. His formal education in computer science equipped him with the technical fundamentals necessary to understand complex software architectures, emerging technologies, and the interplay between hardware and software systems, which underpins his strategic approach to technology leadership.
Ulta Beauty: Company Overview
Ulta Beauty (NASDAQ: ULTA) is the largest specialty beauty retailer in the United States and a premier destination for cosmetics, fragrance, skin care, hair care, wellness, and salon services. Since opening its first store in 1990, the company has expanded to more than 1,500 locations nationwide. Ulta’s distinctive “All Things Beauty. All in One Place®” model combines an expansive product assortment, professional salon offerings, and its popular Ulta Beauty Rewards loyalty program to create seamless, personalized experiences across physical stores, Ulta.com, and the Ulta Beauty App.
Omnichannel Growth and Digital Initiatives
The retailer’s success hinges on its ability to integrate in‑store and online channels, providing customers with flexible shopping options such as buy‑online‑pickup‑in‑store, same‑day delivery, and virtual try‑on tools. Ulta’s digital platforms leverage data analytics to personalize product recommendations, optimize inventory management, and enhance the loyalty program. Continued investment in technology is viewed as essential to maintaining competitive advantage in a rapidly evolving beauty market.
International Expansion Efforts
Beyond the United States, Ulta Beauty is growing its global footprint through several ventures. Its subsidiary, Space NK, operates as a luxury beauty retailer in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Additionally, Ulta has entered a joint venture in Mexico and established a franchise presence in the Middle East. These international initiatives diversify revenue streams and expose the brand to new consumer demographics while leveraging Ulta’s core competencies in merchandising and customer experience.
Alignment with the Ulta Beauty Unleashed Strategy
Garcia’s appointment directly supports Ulta Beauty’s “Ulta Beauty Unleashed” strategic framework, which prioritizes the enhancement of technology capabilities to drive innovation, improve operational efficiency, and capture additional market share. By elevating a technology‑focused executive to the C‑suite, Ulta aims to accelerate the rollout of next‑generation digital tools, strengthen cybersecurity posture, and harness emerging technologies such as AI and machine learning to better anticipate consumer preferences and streamline supply‑chain operations.
Forward‑Looking Statements Disclaimer
The press release includes a standard forward‑looking‑statement notice pursuant to Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the safe‑harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements containing words such as “will,” “believe,” “expect,” “plan,” “estimate,” “may,” or similar expressions are identified as forward‑looking. The disclosure cautions that actual results may differ materially from these expectations due to a variety of factors, many of which are outside the company’s control.
Factors That Could Influence Outcomes
Potential influences on forward‑looking projections include shifts in global, regional, or local economic conditions; changes in consumer spending patterns; competitive pressures within the beauty retail sector; evolving market trends; regulatory developments; and other unforeseen events. The release directs readers to the “Risk Factors” section of Ulta Beauty’s Annual Report on Form 10‑K for the year ended January 31, 2026, for a more detailed enumeration of these risks, noting that such factors may be updated in periodic filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
Investor and Media Contact Information
For further information, investors may contact Kiley Rawlins, CFA, Vice President of Investor Relations, at [email protected]. Media inquiries should be directed to Natalie Navarre, Vice President of Public Relations & Social Marketing, at [email protected] (also reachable via [email protected]). These contacts are provided to facilitate accurate dissemination of details regarding the CTO appointment and related corporate developments.
Strategic Significance of the Appointment
The selection of Kelly Garcia as CTO underscores Ulta Beauty’s recognition of technology as a core driver of future growth. By placing a proven leader with deep expertise in e‑commerce, loyalty programs, digital innovation, and security at the forefront of its technology organization, Ulta signals its intent to modernize infrastructure, enhance data‑driven decision making, and deliver differentiated customer experiences. This leadership change is expected to bolster the execution of the Ulta Beauty Unleashed plan, support international expansion initiatives, and ultimately contribute to sustained shareholder value creation.
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