GOODLETTSVILLE, Tenn. — Dollar General Corp. has appointed Travis Nixon to the newly created role of senior vice president of artificial intelligence (AI) optimization, a move that underscores the discount retailer’s growing focus on using advanced technologies to boost efficiency across its vast store network.
Nixon will oversee business process management initiatives, applying AI to uncover and implement optimization opportunities in merchandising, supply chain, and store operations. His appointment represents a strategic investment in data-driven decision-making at a time when retailers are under pressure to enhance both cost discipline and customer experience.
“At a time when our customers rely on us more than ever, we're excited to welcome Travis and his transformative AI leadership to streamline operations and enhance the experience for Dollar General employees and customers,” said Steve Deckard, Dollar General’s executive vice president of strategy and development. “This new role represents our commitment to driving innovation to unlock value in our operations, making us stronger now and in the future. With greater strategic integration of AI, we look forward to accelerating and expanding existing efforts to drive operational excellence, cost efficiency, and customer-centric innovation.”
The new role aligns with Dollar General’s broader strategy to modernize its operating model while preserving its reputation for value and convenience. With nearly 20,000 stores across the United States, even incremental improvements in logistics, product allocation, or workforce efficiency can translate into significant cost savings and performance gains.Nixon brings more than a decade of AI and machine learning experience to Dollar General. Most recently, he served as head of AI for Dropbox’s Security Division, where he led efforts to transform the organization into an AI-driven enterprise.
Prior to that, he held senior roles at some of the world’s leading technology companies — including Meta, where he was head of measurement and understanding, and Microsoft, where he served as chief data scientist for financial services.In addition to his corporate roles, Nixon has served on the board of SynerAI since 2020, helping to shape the firm’s AI strategy for stock market insights. He earned a Bachelor of Science in economics from Brigham Young University and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Virginia.
