Patterson Announces Chief Digital Officer

Business

Patterson Announces Chief Digital Officer

2026-03-27 02:02 Last Updated At：16:22

ST. PAUL, Minn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Mar 26, 2026--

Patterson Companies has announced the appointment of Gregg Kunes as Patterson’s new chief digital officer. Kunes brings a wealth of experience in driving growth and modernization in complex global distribution and manufacturing environments.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260326451731/en/

Kunes will report to Chief Executive Officer Robert Rajalingam, and will lead Patterson’s overall digital strategy.

Kunes comes to Patterson with over 20 years of experience and most recently was the head of global digital commerce at Thermo Fisher Scientific, where he led digital channel building and optimization efforts across 12 business units and executed the largest global software transformation in the industry. Kunes also served as a division leader at Amazon, leading a digital games and software portfolio he built from the ground up.

“We are thrilled to have Gregg join the team at Patterson. Gregg’s previous success in delivering innovative and scalable solutions made him the right fit for the role,” said Robert Rajalingam, chief executive officer. “Patterson is investing in our ongoing digital transformation, and with Gregg now leading that effort, we feel optimistic and excited for this next chapter in the company.”

Looking forward to his new role, Kunes said, “I’m immensely grateful to join a company like Patterson that is rooted in strong values and committed to the success of their customers. My focus will be on finding ways we can move faster and work smarter to deliver world-class customer experiences in our markets. Digital transformation will be at the core of how we approach making our customers successful.”

Gregg Kunes Biography

Originally from Ohio, Kunes earned a master’s degree in business at The Ohio State University’s Fisher College of Business as well as a BSE double major in business and chemical engineering from the University of Cincinnati. He currently lives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Outside of work, Kunes enjoys spending time with his family, coaching youth sports, playing golf and fishing. He also serves on the board of the Pittsburgh chapter of Autism Speaks, and has built AI solution tools to help kids and families coping with autism.

About Patterson Companies Inc.

Patterson Companies, Inc. connects dental and animal health customers in North America and the U.K. to the latest products, technologies, services, and innovative business solutions that enable operational and professional success. Our comprehensive portfolio, distribution network and supply chain are equaled only by our dedicated, knowledgeable people who deliver unrivaled expertise and unmatched customer service and support.

Learn more: pattersoncompanies.com, animalhealthinternational.com

Josh Allen and rest of Bills starters expected to play in preseason opener against Carolina

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — A new coaching staff and another chance to get accustomed to Buffalo's new stadium led to Bills coach Joe Brady’s decision to have Josh Allen and the rest of his healthy starters play in the team’s preseason opener against Carolina on Saturday.

“We obviously have a new everything,” Brady said Thursday. “So it’s our first opportunity for us to come together and show an example of what the Buffalo Bills are about. So I think that’s important.”

Brady is a first-year head coach, with Buffalo's former offensive coordinator promoted to take over after Sean McDermott’s firing in January. The game will provide Brady an opportunity to get a feel for his new role, and working with a staff that’s undergone numerous changes this offseason.

And the outing presents the Bills a chance to get more accustomed to their new $2.1 billion home in a game situation. The game comes a week after the Bills held their first practice in Highmark Stadium, built across the street from their former home.

For Allen, the preseason appearance will become his first in two years. The ninth-year player was held out of all three of Buffalo’s preseason games last year, and hasn’t made an appearance since playing the first quarter of the Bills preseason opener against Chicago on Aug. 10, 2024.

“New environment. New routine,” said Allen, who has previously been in favor of playing preseason games.

“We want to make sure this is real game-like as possible because it is a real game,” he added, looking ahead to Buffalo's regular-season opener against Detroit on Sept. 17. “To have those reps before the first game when we have it here on Thursday night, just understanding the process behind everything and not being surprised by anything new.”

Among the items on Allen's checklist include getting accustomed to the field — the Bills have made the switch to natural grass from artificial turf. There's getting familiar with where the game clocks are situated, and also adjusting to the lights, which are now located below the roof canopy as opposed to being on top of towers overlooking the old field.

Brady said a final determination on who plays and how much will be made following practice.

First-year defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard had previously announced having his starters play on Saturday. Buffalo’s defense has undergone the most changes this offseason, with Leonhard introducing a 3-4 system and the unit expected to feature at least five new starters.

Several injured starters are not expected to play, including center Connor McGovern, safeties C.J. Gardner-Johnson and Cole Bishop and cornerback Maxwell Hairston. The four players have missed at least several days of practice, though Brady has not revealed their injuries or a timeline for their returns.

After traveling to Cleveland next week for a joint scrimmage followed by a preseason game on Aug. 22, the Bills will close their schedule by hosting Pittsburgh on Aug. 27.

See AP’s full NFL coverage here