People on the Move: Parker's, Sheetz, Molson Coors & Tyson
NATIONAL REPORT — Retailers, wholesalers and suppliers in the convenience store industry are only as good as their management teams and employees. In this special roundup, Convenience Store News runs down the most recent executive changes, new hires, promotions and people achievements happening in the industry.
GasBuddy
GasBuddy added to the company's executive team. Sarah McCrary joined as vice president of operations to focus on operational strategy that will drive further innovation in GasBuddy. Michael DiLorenzo joined as vice president of marketing and will lead the growth strategy of GasBuddy’s community of users.
McCrary comes on board at GasBuddy after more than a decade of business and product leadership in the payments technology arena. Most recently, McCrary was the vice president of digital strategy at Heartland Payment Systems, one of the nation’s largest payment companies, recently acquired by Global Payments.
DiLorenzo was the former senior vice president of marketing at Drizly, where he helped the company seize first-mover advantage attacking a $100-billion opportunity for on-demand, e-commerce in off-premise retail beverage alcohol sales.
Innovative Control Systems
Innovative Control Systems (ICS) hired Tom Bagnara as director of petroleum sales North America. At ICS, he will be responsible for new business development of c-store/petroleum corporate accounts, as well as developing and maintaining relations with the distribution channel in North America.
Bagnara began his car wash career at Turtle Wax Inc. in 1990, where he served in various capacities, including sales management, national account sales and product development, for which he holds several patents for chemical dilution and application.
In 2000, he joined Ryko Manufacturing (now Ryko Solutions Inc., part of National Carwash Solutions) as regional sales manager Midwest and was responsible for a direct sales and distribution team in a 13-state region. He rose to the position of director of sales — Western U.S., where he managed 11 sales representatives and multiple distributors across 29 states and Canada.
He was also responsible for the development and maintenance of strategic key accounts such as Speedway, SuperAmerica, Holiday Cos., Mills Fleetfarm, Buchanan Energy and AU Energy.
Matrix Capital Markets Group Inc.
Robbie L. Radant joined Matrix Capital Markets Group Inc. as a director in its Downstream Energy & Retail Group. He heads the company's new Dallas office. In his new role, Radant will originate new client assignments, and execute transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, capital raises, and corporate valuations.
He joins Matrix after working 28 years for 7-Eleven Inc. During his tenure with 7-Eleven, he served in multiple operational, finance, and accounting roles. His most recent position was vice president of mergers and acquisitions. In that capacity, he led 7-Eleven's acquisition team on closing 27 transactions, totaling 1,400 convenience stores and more than 1,200 wholesale fuel sites.
Molson Coors Brewing Co.
Tracey Joubert, former chief financial officer (CFO) of Molson Coors Brewing Co.'s U.S. business, has been appointed as Molson Coors' new CFO.
"I am very excited to lead the finance function at Molson Coors. I am very familiar with the company and very supportive of its plans," she said. "With the full acquisition of MillerCoors, it's a critical point in the bigger and stronger Molson Coors and I am ready to bring the financial discipline and leadership necessary to deliver the growth our employees and shareholders expect."
Joubert has served as executive vice president and CFO for MillerCoors since 2012. Previously, she was vice president of finance, planning and analysis, and controller for MillerCoors. Prior to that, she served as director of finance and group services at Miller Brewing Co.
She came to Miller from SAB Limited in Johannesburg, South Africa, where she served as financial manager, technical accounting, and was later promoted to financial manager, finance services. Prior to joining SAB Limited, she was financial manager at Barloworld, Ltd. and articled at KPMG South Africa.
She serves on the board of directors of the Terrapin Beer Co. and Coors Distributing Co.
Parker's
Parker's hired Kevin Long as a development supervisor on the company's human resources team. In his new position, Long will partner with senior leadership to implement training and development strategies for Parker's retail stores.
Before joining Parker's, Long served as a finance and accounting manager at Robert Half International in Savannah, Ga., and was previously the director of finance operations for CNAC Finance in Savannah. Long also brings an extensive background in training and development on a regional and national level.
PFSbrands
PFSbrands has hired Jamie Long as vice president of business development. He brings 14 years of in-depth foodservice knowledge and strategic thinking to the company from McDonald's, Boston Market, Uno Pizzeria Grill and Orion Food Systems/Hot Stuff Foods.
PFSbrands is a U.S. supplier of branded, prepared food programs to the convenience store and grocery markets.
"Our company continues to grow at a phenomenal pace," said Shawn Burcham, CEO of PFSbrands. "In fact, we were named by INC Magazine recently as one of the fastest-growing, private companies in America for the eighth consecutive year. With Jamie on our team, we are positioning the company to bring high-value hot food programs to an ever-expanding number of new retail partners — both chains and independents — in the convenience foodservice sector across the country."
Sheetz Inc.
Nick Ruffner is now leading the communications efforts at Sheetz Inc. as its public relations manager. The Pennsylvania native has a background across the communications spectrum, from public relations to television and radio broadcasting. Most recently, he served as the communications director for U.S. Rep. Glenn Thompson (Pa.-5th District).
His career in public relations started with the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, where he was responsible for the communication efforts of a number of state representatives. Ruffner's background also includes several years in broadcast journalism, first with Johnstown, Pa., NBC affiliate, WJAC, as an anchor-reporter, and in leading the news efforts of Renda Broadcasting's radio stations in Indiana, Pa., and Punxsutawney, Pa., as regional news director.
Tyson Foods Inc.
Tyson Foods Inc. selected Tom Hayes, president of Tyson Foods, to succeed Donnie Smith as CEO, effective Dec. 31. Hayes will continue to serve as president and has been appointed to the board of directors. Smith, who has been CEO of Tyson Foods since November 2009, will be available to consult with the company for a three-year period.
As CEO, Smith helped to build a platform to support the company's hybrid strategy of branded prepared products and fresh chicken, beef, pork and specialty meats. Hayes was appointed president earlier this year and is leading Tyson Foods' transition to the hybrid model.
Working with Smith to leverage Tyson Foods' scale and develop brands to drive growth, Hayes has been responsible for retailed packaged brands, international and global growth, North American sales, strategy and new ventures, as well as the support functions of corporate affairs and operations services.
Hayes is a 29-year veteran of the consumer products industry. Prior to his role as president, he was chief commercial officer at Tyson Foods, overseeing all North American sales, in addition to the foodservice prepared foods business. He also previously served as president of foodservice.
Previously, Hayes served as chief supply chain officer for The Hillshire Brands Co. and as senior vice president and chief supply chain officer for Sara Lee North America.