Advantage Solutions Inc. announced changes to its executive leadership team designed to accelerate its growth strategy. Bob Hardester was appointed Chief Information Officer effective March 2, 2026. Hardester brings over 20 years of digital transformation experience.
At Schnuck Markets, where he served as CIO and Chief Supply Chain Officer, he led ecommerce expansion through Instacart and other partnerships, digitally enabled store operations, and automated supply chain processes. Jo O?Hazo was promoted to Deputy CIO & Chief Data Officer. O?Hazo has led Advantage?s data and analytics capabilities, including architecting the company?s data lake and transformative digital initiatives that directly serve clients.
Prior to Advantage, she held senior data and technology leadership roles at Giant Eagle, Estée Lauder, Newman?s Own, and Unilever. David Fall was elevated to Chief Growth & Strategy Officer. Fall brings a deep strategy and CPG background with nearly nine years at Bain & Company.
Since joining Advantage two years ago, he has advanced the company?s ability to innovate and scale partnerships and played a pivotal role in advancing the company?s strategic objectives. His expanded role formalizes his leadership of strategic planning and innovation as the company pivots from transformation to sustained growth performance. George Johnson was named COO of Demonstration Services & Workforce Operations.
Johnson?s expanded role reflects strong commercial momentum in Advantage?s demonstration services business and positions the company to capitalize on growing demand. As COO of Demonstration Services and Workforce Operations, Johnson will oversee both commercial strategy and operational execution for the company?s demonstration and workforce capabilities ? areas Advantage sees as a meaningful driver of future performance.
His portfolio combines sales leadership with workforce planning, field operations, and health and safety oversight, enabling Advantage to scale this high-demand service line with precision. These appointments follow the transition of Chief Digital Officer Francesco Tinto, who is leaving to pursue a new opportunity.
