Richard Teachout

Richard Teachout

Chief Technology Officer, Ashley Furniture Industries
Keynote Speaker · Technology Executive · Inventor
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About Richard

Rich Teachout is Chief Technology Officer at Ashley Furniture Industries, the world's largest furniture manufacturer, where he leads a global technology organization spanning platforms, infrastructure, data, architecture, software development, and emerging technologies. He brings more than 30 years of hands-on experience across software engineering, data platforms, distributed systems, and applied AI — including a prior role as CTO of El Toro, where he helped build patented, privacy-forward advertising technologies.

A servant leader with a builder's credibility, Rich delivers candor, energy, and stories from operating at global scale — and audiences leave with frameworks they can use Monday morning.

CTO — World's Largest Furniture Manufacturer 30+ Years Software, Data & AI Patented Ad-Tech Innovator Tampa, FL · Worldwide, In-Person & Virtual

Signature Talks

The Agentic Enterprise: Leading When AI Joins the Workforce
What agentic AI changes about how global companies operate, organize, and compete — and what leaders must do now.
AI at Global Scale: From Pilots to P&L
The honest path from demos to production — AI that moves revenue, margin, and supply chains, not just slide decks.
Big Data & AI: How Technology Will Change Everyday Life
What's real, what's next, and what it means for business, privacy, and society.
Digital Transformation: Suggestions from a CTO
Keeping brands relevant — honest lessons from transformation at one of the world's largest manufacturers.
Building the AI-Ready Workforce
Reskilling, culture, and the new career ladder inside an AI-native enterprise.
Avoiding IT Burnout: A Workaholic's Perspective
Sustainable high performance for leaders and teams in the age of always-on.

Every talk is tailored to your audience, theme, and outcomes. Additional topics available on request.

What Audiences Take Away

01 — Monday-Morning Frameworks: practical tools they can apply immediately — not theory or hype.
02 — An Executive View, Grounded: AI, data, and transformation lessons from real operations at one of the world's largest manufacturers.
03 — Straight Talk on Leadership: culture, delegation, and career growth from a servant leader who still builds.
🏜️ — #WanderingCTO: off the clock, Rich is an avid off-roader and overlander — the lived source of his talks on burnout, resilience, and balance.

Formats & Audiences

Formats

  • Keynotes (30–60 minutes, with Q&A)
  • Fireside chats & panels
  • Executive roundtables
  • Half- & full-day leadership workshops
  • Virtual keynotes, webinars & AMAs

Ideal Audiences

  • Enterprise IT & engineering organizations
  • Executive & leadership summits
  • Technology & industry conferences
  • Universities & emerging tech talent
  • Manufacturing, retail & supply-chain events

Book Richard

Bring Rich to your stage

Keynotes, firesides, workshops, and virtual engagements — tailored to your audience and outcomes. Speaking fees and a full rate card are provided upon request.

Book via Email

rich@teachout.com · wanderingcto.com · linkedin.com/in/richardteachout

Patents (20 US Grants)

Inventor on 20 US patents across geolocation targeting, IP-based advertising, and parcel data systems. Full list via Justia.

Writing

Speaker Kit