The convenience-store industry continues to evolve, and the people in the industry continue to advance with it, whether it’s new hires, promotions or retirements. Read on for news about retailers, suppliers, associations and more.
Retailers
Jocelyn Caldwell is the new vice president of people and belonging at Pilot Co., Knoxville, Tennessee, according to a LinkedIn post. “Jocelyn's leadership will be instrumental in helping us continue to cultivate a workplace centered on what matters most—our people,” the company. Caldwell joins the Travel center network Pilot, from retail giant Walmart, where she held the position of vice president of workforce strategy and organizational development, according to her LinkedIn bio. “I was drawn to Pilot’s purpose to show people they matter at every turn, something I connect with both personally and professionally,” Caldwell said LinkedIn.
Delek US Holdings named Sam Eljaouhari the new executive vice president, according to a LinkedIn post. Prior to this position, Eljaouhari served as senior vice president and chief supply chain officer for the Brentwood, Tennessee-based Delek. A c-store industry veteran, he has worked at Marathon Petroleum Corp., Findlay, Ohio, and bp, Chicago. In other personnel news at Delek, Michael Curley said in a LinkedIn post that he is starting as senior director of operations for the company.
Bryan Williams is the new chief information officer at QuikTrip, Tulsa, Oklahoma, following the retirement of Gina Hitz. Williams started with QuikTrip 19 years ago and began his career in IT, Aisha Jefferson, corporate communications manager, told CSP.
Lisa N’Chonon is the new chief financial officer and treasurer at EG America. She was previously in the position on an interim basis. Whitney Johnson is the new vice president of loyalty and digital commerce, and Laura Sherman was recently named general counsel for the Westborough, Massachusetts-based convenience-store chain.
Natasha Ratzlaff is the new senior director, culinary innovation and category strategy at Global Partners. Ratzlaff joins Global Partners, Waltham, Massachusetts, after nearly a decade at Des Moines, Iowa-based Kum & Go, which was acquired by Salt Lake City-based Maverik in 2023.
Lisa Ham, director of merchandising and space planning with Yesway, left the Fort Worth, Texas-based convenience-store chain Aug. 9 to pursue her career in the wholesale pharmaceuticals industry. Ham joined Yesway in 2017 as a category manager. In 2019 she was promoted to senior category manager and in 2021 became director of merchandising and space planning for the retailer. Before joining Yesway, Ham was a sales representative for several pharmaceutical firms and a pharmacy technician at Walmart.
Suppliers:
Brandt Hastings is the new president of Zurich, Switzerland-based ABB E-mobility’s North American operations. With a background in EV charging, Hastings steps into the new role having previously served as president and CEO of electric-vehicle (EV) charging network Volta Inc. With over 20 years of commercial and management experience, Hastings also held leadership roles at iHeartMedia and Clear Channel Communications.
Dallas-based Flexeserve, the hot-holding manufacturer and food-to-go specialist, has named Conrad Randell as sales manager for U.S. and Canada. He will be responsible for all non-retail foodservice sectors throughout these territories, including convenience stores. With over 30 years’ experience in sales, Randell will help expand Flexeserve’s North American customer base.
Corona, California-based Monster Energy has named Summer Daniels as a category manager for the energy drink company, according to a post on LinkedIn. Prior to this position, Daniels was senior category manager, packaged and alcoholic beverages, at MAPCO, Franklin, Tennessee.
Technology and Services
Jenny Bullard retired from Alexandria, Virginia-based Conexxus as manager of member engagement, according to a LinkedIn post. She has more than 46 years of experience in the c-store industry with main responsibilities centering on technology. In 2014 she was inducted into Conexxus Hall of Fame. Prior to working at Conexxus, Bullard held positions at Laval, Quebec-based Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc, and the Jones Co., the holding company for Waycross, Georgia-based Flash Foods, a 160-store chain with stores in Georgia and Florida.
Alexandria, Virginia-based TruAge, developed by the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) and Conexxus, appointed Paul Ziv as vice president of technology and operations. In his new role, Ziv will develop solutions for and drive the integration of the age-verification platform, which works with Verifone’s point-of-sale system, with key point-of-sale vendors across all retail channels.
Mark VII Equipment, a car wash manufacturing company, appointed Sandy Bass as vice president of key accounts. Bass brings over 20 years of experience in the car wash industry, having held pivotal roles across various sectors, including partial owner of BayWatch Doors, prior to its acquisition by National Carwash Solutions.
Associations
The National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS), Alexandria, Virginia, named Kevin O’Connell as executive director of NACS Foundation, founded by NACS in 1994. Prior to NACS, O’Connell served as nonprofit strategic advisor to FYN Creative, the digital storytelling agency he founded in 2014.
The New York Association of Convenience Stores (NYACS) appointed Alison Ritchie as president. Ritchie joined the NYACS staff in 2018 as director of membership and events and since 2022 was director of operations. She succeeds Kent Sopris to become NYACS’ fifth president in its 38-year history.
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