Executive Profile
John Swords currently serves as the Chief Technology and Product Officer (CTO/CPO) at FindMine, a leading SaaS provider in AI-powered outfitting, styling, and automated content generation for the retail and ecommerce sectors. Swords' dual role encompasses both product strategy and technology leadership. His official LinkedIn profile is available at [linkedin.com/in/johnswords](http://www.linkedin.com/in/johnswords).
Titles & Responsibilities
- Chief Technology & Product Officer (CTO/CPO)
As CTO/CPO, Swords is responsible for setting FindMine's product vision and technology roadmap, overseeing engineering, product management, and IT, and driving the expansion of FindMine’s AI-powered solutions into new use-cases and customer experiences.
- Head of Customer Experience (Recent/Concurrent Title)
Swords has also held the Head of Customer Experience role, focusing on evolving retail experiences, underscoring his engagement with both client success and end-user outcomes.
Swords joined FindMine in early 2020 as Head of Product and Customer Experience. He led major product releases such as "Complete the Look", contributing significantly to FindMine’s core value proposition of scalable AI-driven outfitting and merchandising.
Professional Background
Before joining FindMine, John Swords held 11 previous roles, notably:
- Chief Strategy Officer at TurnTo Networks
- Executive roles at Emplifi, Pixlee, Circus, TV Dinner, The Electric Sheep Company
His professional experience spans over 25 years in software and SaaS, particularly in product, engineering, and leadership capacities in retail, ecommerce, AR/VR, gaming, and community-driven platforms. Swords is recognized for two SaaS exits and a reputation for building technology that mirrors brand identity and elevates customer engagement.
Thought Leadership & Industry Presence
- AI & Ecommerce Advocacy: Swords is a vocal proponent regarding the importance of website accessibility for AI agents, arguing that blocking AI crawlers can negatively impact ecommerce brand discoverability and customer experience ([FindMine Blog](https://www.findmine.com/blog/ai-agents)). He frequently publishes on AI best practices, content automation, and innovation in retail technology.
- Expert Commentary: He has featured on podcasts and panels (e.g., Movable Ink’s Ink Tank), sharing insights into retail experience evolution and personalization.
FindMine: Company Context
- FindMine is an AI-first SaaS company specializing in automating the creation of “on-brand” content, particularly for outfitting and styling, serving over 100 million shoppers per month.
- The platform is used by top brands to increase revenue, margins, and loyalty through digital and in-store experiences.
- Notable case studies include successful implementations for brands such as ANINE BING and DXL, demonstrating remarkable coverage and measurable commercial impact.
- Team Structure: Key FindMine executives include Michelle Bacharach (CEO), John Swords (CTO & CPO), Robert Ron (CFO), Lance Goler (Head of Sales), Eric Taylor (Senior Director).
Strategic Direction
Under Swords’ leadership, FindMine has prioritized:
- Product Expansion: Enabling support for additional product categories and new retail scenarios.
- Customer Experience Innovation: Building intuitive experience layers for brand and shopper engagement.
- AI-Driven Personalization: Deepening personalization through advanced machine learning, with a strong focus on maintaining brand integrity across all customer touchpoints.
Relevant Skills and Influence
- Product Strategy: Extensive experience in scaling SaaS product teams and building enterprise-grade solutions from ideation to market.
- Technology Leadership: Deep understanding of AI, ecommerce, and automation at the intersection of merchandising, content, and user experience.
- Industry Relations: Well-connected with digital merchandising, retail innovation, and AI communities, frequently cited by thought leaders and technology media.
Online Profiles and Public Activities
- LinkedIn: [linkedin.com/in/johnswords](http://www.linkedin.com/in/johnswords)
- X (Twitter): [@swords](https://x.com/swords)
Posts on AI, SaaS, brand styling technology, AR/VR, and digital community-building.
Key Actionable Insights
- Targeting Innovation-Oriented Retailers: Swords’ focus is on enabling retailers to automate and scale high-quality, branded experiences—companies with complex product catalogs and omnichannel strategies are strong fits for FindMine’s capabilities.
- AI Enablement and Integration: As CTO/CPO, Swords prioritizes integrations with ecommerce ecosystems and is likely a decision-maker or influencer on technology partnerships, vendor selection, and API/data collaboration.
- Strategic Product Growth: Willing to explore new solution verticals and open to collaborative projects that advance FindMine’s value-add for enterprise retail and merchandising teams.
John Swords represents a technologically advanced, product-focused leadership archetype—actively seeking to push the boundaries of AI in retail while maintaining a strong commitment to client and end-customer success. His cross-disciplinary background and executive oversight position him as a pivotal contact for discussions around platform partnerships, solution expansion, joint go-to-market initiatives, and the future of AI-powered content and commerce.
