Texas has quietly become one of the most influential hubs for retail and e-commerce innovation in the United States. From grocery giants and omnichannel retailers to embedded finance platforms and distribution networks, the state’s consumer economy is deeply digitized, and increasingly exposed to cyber risk. That puts Chief Information Security Officers and senior security leaders at the center of business continuity, customer trust, and revenue protection.
This curated list of CISOs to watch highlights the executives shaping cybersecurity strategies across Texas-based retail and retail-adjacent organizations. While not every leader holds the formal CISO title today, each plays a critical role in safeguarding complex digital ecosystems, from point-of-sale systems and supply chains to fintech integrations and customer data platforms.
Lauren Luensmann — CISO, Group Vice President, H-E-B
Lauren Luensmann leads cybersecurity strategy for one of the largest and most influential retail organizations in the United States. In her role as Group Vice President and CISO at H-E-B, she is responsible for aligning IT operations with business outcomes while strengthening enterprise-wide security posture. Her leadership spans executive collaboration, budget oversight, and the delivery of scalable security programs that support a massive retail footprint.
With nearly two decades of experience, Luensmann is recognized for translating complex technical environments into clear business strategies. She has built a reputation for strengthening IT operations while ensuring security remains tightly integrated with enterprise growth. Her work reflects the increasing importance of cybersecurity leadership in retail organizations managing large-scale customer and supply chain ecosystems.
Wei Dong — Vice President of Engineering, CISO, Michaels Stores
Wei Dong serves in a dual leadership role overseeing engineering and cybersecurity at Michaels Stores, bringing together product development and security under a unified vision. His background in large-scale global development programs positions him to manage complex, distributed engineering teams while ensuring security is embedded in system design. He is also known for his strong focus on customer-centric engineering practices and operational excellence.
In addition to his technical leadership, Dong emphasizes people development and cross-functional collaboration as key drivers of organizational success. His approach reflects a modern cybersecurity mindset where security is not a standalone function but part of engineering and product culture. This integration is especially critical in retail environments undergoing rapid digital transformation.
Jeff E. Kirby — Chief Information Security Officer, Interstate Batteries
Jeff E. Kirby brings over 30 years of cybersecurity and IT leadership experience, with deep expertise across risk management, compliance, and enterprise security architecture. At Interstate Batteries, he leads a mature cybersecurity program focused on protecting a multi-billion-dollar private retail organization. His work spans vulnerability management, disaster recovery, and enterprise-wide security tooling, including platforms like Rapid7 and Splunk.
Kirby is widely recognized for building structured, scalable security programs that align closely with business and regulatory requirements. His background includes extensive experience in PCI compliance and enterprise governance, making him particularly effective in highly regulated environments. His leadership reflects the evolution of the CISO role from technical oversight to enterprise risk stewardship.
Brian Higginbotham — Vice President & CISO, SRS Distribution
Brian Higginbotham is a seasoned cybersecurity and infrastructure leader with more than three decades of experience spanning enterprise IT, security architecture, and operations. At SRS Distribution, he oversees cybersecurity strategy with a strong focus on resilience, identity management, and disaster recovery. His experience also includes technology M&A and IT service management, giving him a broad view of enterprise risk.
Higginbotham is known for modernizing security programs in complex, distributed organizations. His background in infrastructure engineering allows him to bridge the gap between technical operations and executive risk strategy. This combination is especially valuable in distribution-heavy industries where uptime and security must coexist.
Gaurav Kapil — SVP & Chief Information Security Officer, Bread Financial
Gaurav Kapil is a transformational cybersecurity leader with deep expertise in enterprise security strategy, architecture, and product development. At Bread Financial, he oversees cybersecurity programs that span regulatory compliance, crisis management, and enterprise risk governance. His experience includes leadership roles across federal, defense, and financial environments, including work with organizations such as the U.S. Department of Defense and NATO-related initiatives.
Kapil is also a recognized speaker and thought leader in cybersecurity innovation and research. His work focuses on building scalable cyber programs that align directly with business strategy and regulatory expectations. This blend of technical depth and executive communication makes him a standout leader in financial services cybersecurity.
Russ Murrell — Chief Information Security Officer, Texas Capital Bank
Russ Murrell serves as CISO at Texas Capital Bank, where he leads cybersecurity strategy for one of the most prominent financial institutions in the state. His role focuses on strengthening enterprise security controls, managing regulatory requirements, and ensuring resilience across digital banking platforms. He operates in a highly regulated environment where risk management and customer trust are tightly linked.
Murrell represents the modern financial-sector CISO balancing innovation with strict compliance demands. His leadership emphasizes practical security execution across cloud, identity, and infrastructure domains. In a rapidly evolving fintech landscape, his role is central to enabling secure digital banking transformation.
The Security Backbone of Texas Retail’s Digital Future
The evolution of retail and e-commerce in Texas is being shaped not just by innovation, but by the ability to secure it at scale. These CISOs and security leaders are doing more than defending against threats; they are enabling growth, protecting customer trust, and ensuring operational resilience across some of the most complex consumer ecosystems in the country.
As digital transformation accelerates, the role of the CISO continues to expand beyond traditional security boundaries. In Texas, that evolution is especially visible, with leaders bridging the gap between technology, business strategy, and customer experience. This list of CISOs to watch reflects a broader shift: cybersecurity is no longer a back-office function, but a defining force in the future of retail.