John A. Furton

John Furton graduated from Michigan Technological University in 1987 with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science. After working for Kraft Foods, he co-founded Peapod, an online grocery shopping service and one of the nation’s first Internet companies. He was inducted into the College of Computing Honor Academy on October 4, 2023.

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 offline 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.

From 2023 Induction to the College of Computing Honors Academy

Updated September 2024