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Technology executive who believes transformational change happens when strategy meets…
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Forrest Smith shared thisIngram Micro was recently awarded two U.S. patents for proprietary innovations powering our AI-driven Xvantage platform — and the industry is taking notice. The two patents cover our Dynamic SKU capabilities and our email-to-order system powered by generative AI — technologies built to eliminate friction in the ordering systems that move software and hardware from vendors to end users. These aren't incremental improvements. They represent foundational changes to how products are cataloged, discovered, and transacted at scale across the global IT ecosystem. With more than 35 patents filed, the vision is to create a true B2B operating system — one that solves problems not just for the technology channel, but for B2B commerce as a whole. That vision has a name: Xvantage. And it has a leader driving it. Last week, Sanjib Sahoo, President of Ingram Micro's Global Platform Group, was named a "Global Icon for AI, Platform & Business Transformation" at the World Leaders Summit 2026, held at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. The summit convenes policymakers, diplomats, and industry leaders to tackle challenges at the intersection of technology, business, and global development. The recognition validates what the patents prove — that Ingram Micro isn't integrating someone else's innovation. We're building it. From the ground up. With over 42 million lines of code, hundreds of AI/ML models, and a platform now active in 20 countries, Xvantage is changing how the technology industry operates. Sanjib's keynote at the summit, "Future of AI: Rewiring Global Commerce," captured it well: transformation doesn't start with technology — it starts with purpose and mindset. The patents are the proof. The award is the validation. And we're just getting started. #IngramMicro #Xvantage #AI #DigitalTransformation #Leadership #WorldLeadersSummit2026 #B2BPlatform #Innovation #Patents https://lnkd.in/gE8sk44Z
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Forrest Smith shared thisJust returned from Ingram Micro ONE '25 in Washington, D.C., energized by the conversations and connections with our customers, partners, and vendors. Having the opportunity to present on cybersecurity in this transformative moment reminded me why I love this industry. Sanjib Sahoo's keynote hit on something profound: "Intelligence is the new operating system." We spend too much time talking about the "artificial" in AI and not enough about the intelligence itself. As we transition from generative to agentic AI, the question isn't whether AI will replace us—it's how we'll reimagine our work through it. One insight particularly resonated with me as a security leader: "If you automate garbage, you will get garbage." Before we deploy any AI agent, we must first map our journeys, streamline our processes, and define our problems clearly. In cybersecurity, this is existential—poorly trained AI agents can become vulnerabilities, not solutions. At Ingram Micro, we're not chasing AI to be cool. We're starting with our most critical business and security challenges and solving them intelligently. The biggest risk isn't AI itself—it's the widening gap between the pace of technological advancement and our willingness to adopt it thoughtfully. The message is clear: what got us here won't get us there. We must replace our mindset and embrace the discomfort of learning in real-time. Because as Sahoo reminded us, "The more you use it, the better it's going to be." The future belongs to those who understand that intelligence—human and artificial working together—is the foundation of everything we'll build next. #IngramMicroONE #Cybersecurity #AI #AgenticAI #Leadership Sanjib Sahoo Ingram Micro https://lnkd.in/e85gVRfN“Intelligence Is the New OS,” and Other Insights from Ingram Micro ONE '25“Intelligence Is the New OS,” and Other Insights from Ingram Micro ONE '25
Forrest Smith commented on a post
1y
Fabian Silva - you did an amazing job while you were here that will affect how tens of thousands of our associates learn about cybersecurity this year - wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors!
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Forrest Smith liked thisForrest Smith liked thisWe are incredibly proud that Sanjib Sahoo was named a “Global Icon for AI, Platform & Business Transformation” at the World Leaders Summit 2026, which took place last week at the iconic Library of Congress in Washington D.C. The recognition highlights Sanjib’s leadership in advancing our AI-driven platform Xvantage, which is reshaping how businesses operate at a global scale, bridging technology innovation with measurable business outcomes. Congratulations Sanjib, on this amazing honour. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/g_k4g_hV #AI #Leadership #IngramMicro #Xvantage #DigitalTransformation #FutureOfWork
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Forrest Smith liked thisForrest Smith liked thisHonored to be invited to speak at the #LibraryofCongress for the World Leaders Summit last night. Being in a place that has preserved centuries of knowledge really put into perspective how quickly we are moving into a new era, where #intelligence -- both #human and #artificial -- come together as the #operatingsystem of the modern world. In my keynote, “#Future of #AI: Rewiring Global Commerce,” I shared how #AI is moving from experimentation to becoming core to how businesses think, decide, and operate. It was energizing to exchange ideas with leaders on #AI, global economic shifts, and what it truly takes to #operationalize #intelligence at scale. I also enjoyed the focused time with a number of our team members who are turning these ideas into real impact every day. So proud of our teams. Proud to represent the work we are advancing at Ingram Micro as we build AI-driven platform #xvantage that is reshaping the industry. The next decade won’t be defined by who adopts AI, but by who operationalizes intelligence at scale. #AI #Leadership #IngramMicro #Xvantage #DigitalTransformation #FutureOfWork
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Forrest Smith liked thisForrest Smith liked thisIf the job of a car executive is to sell cars, it is hard to argue with the results of Hyundai Motor’s José Muñoz. 🔗 https://on.wsj.com/4rsb2yd Last year, Hyundai sold about a million vehicles in the U.S.—39% more than when he joined the company in 2019—and more than four million worldwide. Yet Muñoz, the first non-Korean chief executive of the South Korean carmaker, seems to be worried that Hyundai is moving too slowly in an era of tariffs and technological change. He wants to shake up its hierarchical culture, expand into robots and flying cars, and build factories in the U.S. faster. “We’re focusing on accelerating,” he said of the company’s roughly $26 billion plan to invest in the U.S. in an interview. “The sooner the better, so we can enjoy our investments.” In the unpredictable Trump age, the CEO wants his people to be ready for anything—and he reflects that in his management style.
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Forrest Smith liked thisForrest Smith liked thisAfter 4 1/2 years, my journey at LogicMonitor has come to a close. It’s time for a major Pivot, and I look forward to sharing an upcoming announcement about what’s next. But first, it’s time for a little holiday and some reflection. Reflections are important for us from time to time. If asked, how would you describe your recent career journey? I recently heard something that resonated with me: "Never a passenger!" That’s how I hope to be remembered. My time at LogicMonitor was filled with experiences similar to those in your own journeys: collaborating with people who positively impacted my life. We worked hard, had fun, and built a wonderful culture. We tackled the big problems, achieved successes, and created value for our customers. I hope we also helped to elevate one another’s careers. I won’t list names, but to those in my circle (now and previously), you know who you are, and I thank you for everything! It’s been an incredible experience together. Now, I look forward to watching LogicMonitor continue to grow and thrive from the outside, cheering you all on!
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Forrest Smith reacted on thisForrest Smith reacted on thisHI everyone, Happy New Year and best wishes for 2026. It is with mixed emotions that I post this to tell you that I have retired after 30+ years from Ingram Micro. Mixed as I will miss the great team of people that I have worked with and my team that I lead. However, I am grateful for this new venture of retirement and am looking forward to spending that time with friends and family, traveling, playing music and volunteering. To everyone present and past at Ingram, I say thank you and I appreciated the dedication, hard work and fun we had together making Ingram a power house in the business. I wish you all the best and will miss you. Please stay in touch. God bless.
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Forrest Smith liked thisForrest Smith liked thisI am pleased to announce that I have taken on the role of Chief Financial Officer at GDT - General Datatech Thankful for the trust placed in me and for the many colleagues and mentors who have helped shape my journey. I'm excited to get to work with this talented organization as we continue to build, scale, and create long term value.
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Forrest Smith liked thisForrest Smith liked thisIt was an absolute honor. I had the pleasure of meeting Sanjib Sahoo, Dham Pathervellai, and Forrest Smith. Your sparkling collective energy is truly infectious and highly inspiring. ✨ Connecting with you all was an incredibly resonant experience. Thank you all!! 🙏 Ingram Micro #xvanatage #platform
Experience & Education
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Ingram Micro
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Licenses & Certifications
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Project Management Professional - PMP
Project Management Institute
Issued ExpiresCredential ID 465974 -
Honors & Awards
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2023, 2025, 2026 Top 100 CISOs
CISOs Connect
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2017 Top 100 CISOs
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https://www.hottopics.ht/26533/the-top-100-cisos-2017/
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2014 Best Security Team
SC Magazine
http://www.scmagazine.com/2014-sc-awards-us-finalists-round-six/article/319866/
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2014 CSO of the Year
SC Magazine
http://www.scmagazine.com/cso-of-the-year-forrest-smith-ciso-nissan-americas/article/334565/
Languages
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English
Native or bilingual proficiency
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Spanish
Professional working proficiency
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