The Department of Computer Science will present a lecture by CS alumni Randy Berry ’82 and John Furton ’87 as part of the department’s 50th Anniversary Series. The title of their presentation is “Life in the Tech Lane. Two Tech grads share their experiences and thoughts.”
The lecture will take place Thursday, October 5, 2023, from 2-2:50 pm in Rekhi G009 and via a Zoom webinar.
Berry and Furton will be inducted into the College of Computing Honor Academy on October 4, 2023. The Honor Academy recognizes Michigan Tech graduates who have distinguished themselves in their professions, and others who have made extraordinary contributions to the advancement of the College of Computing and its programs.
Randy Berry
Randy Berry ’82, BS Computer Science, is a member of the College of Computing External Advisory Board. Berry is an energy industry professional with more than 30 years of experience in the design, delivery, and support of operations technology (OT) solutions around the world. His experience includes electricity T&D, electricity markets, oil and gas, and water systems solutions. He has also participated in federal and state policy and regulatory activities while serving on multiple industry boards. In 2021, Berry retired from Open Systems International Inc., where he was vice president of utilities. Today, he runs his firm, RWB Consulting LLC.
John Furton
After working for Kraft Foods, John Furton ’87 Computer Science, cofounded Peapod, an online grocery shopping service and one of the nation’s first Internet companies. Furton then ran Sourcelight Technologies, a predictive analytics start-up building recommendation engines for entertainment retailers in the movie, music, and gaming industries. In 2003, John joined the leadership team of Family Video helping to grow the company to nearly 1,000 stores, leading the company’s expansion into the telecom and Cable TV industry, and launching new online and retail brands.
Furton currently serves as chief operating officer for Sifter, a venture-backed company that licenses its Food as Medicine platform to the healthcare and retail grocery industry. He is a member of SLC Angels and is an active investor and advisor to several early-stage technology firms. Furton is a member of the External Advisory Boards for the Department of Computer Science and the College of Sciences and Arts. In 1999, he was honored as the university’s Outstanding Young Alumnus. He was inducted into the College of Sciences and Arts Academy in 2006.