Greg Penner
Gregory Boyd Penner | |
|---|---|
| Born | December 18, 1969 |
| Occupation | Business executive |
| Known for | Chairman of Walmart, CEO and co-owner of the Denver Broncos |
Gregory Boyd Penner (born December 18, 1969) is a prominent American executive serving as the chairman of Walmart and acting as co-owner and chief executive officer of the Denver Broncos in the National Football League (NFL). He is connected to Walmart’s founding family through marriage, being the son-in-law of S. Robson Walton and the grandson-in-law of founder Sam Walton.
Early life
Penner is the offspring of Clifford and Joyce Penner, who are sex therapists based in Pasadena, California, known for their Christian-oriented publications on sexual guidance.
He pursued international economics at Georgetown University and later obtained an MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business in 1997.
Career
Penner began his professional journey as a financial analyst at Goldman Sachs.
His tenure at Walmart includes a progression from entry-level store positions to serving as CFO for Walmart Japan. He joined Walmart’s board in 2008, was elevated to vice-chairman in 2014, and ultimately succeeded his father-in-law, S. Robson Walton, as chairman.
He established Madrone Capital Partners, an investment company headquartered in Menlo Park, California. Additionally, Penner holds board memberships at organizations such as Baidu, eHarmony, Hyatt Hotels, and Teach for America, and co-leads the Charter School Growth Fund as co-chair.
On August 9, 2022, NFL proprietors approved a consortium’s acquisition of the Denver Broncos, which includes Penner alongside his wife Carrie Walton Penner, Rob Walton, Condoleezza Rice, Mellody Hobson, and Sir Lewis Hamilton. The next day, Penner was appointed CEO of the Broncos, taking over from Joe Ellis. In his capacity as the principal operating executive and public representative of the Walton-Penner Family Ownership Group, he manages daily operations and acts as the team’s principal delegate at NFL gatherings.
Personal life
Penner is married to Carrie Walton Penner, daughter of Rob Walton; they met during their undergraduate studies at Georgetown University. The couple has four children and lives in Atherton, California.