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
Donna Sanker has been named president, international, for Parkland Corp. Under her leadership, the Calgary, Alberta-based company is combining its commercial and retail operations in the United States and international regions. Sanker previously led the convenience-store chain’s Canadian business for three years before becoming president of Parkland USA in 2023.
Brandon Frampton | Photograph courtesy of Loop Neighborhood Market
Fremont, California-based Loop Neighborhood Market named Brandon Frampton as the director of fresh foods. Frampton previously was a principal consultant at Impact 21, Lexington, Kentucky.
Suppliers
Milwaukee-based designer and manufacturer of commercial foodservice equipment Hatco Corp. named Steve Bindl as the company’s new head of global marketing. Bindl will direct the company’s market development strategies. Prior to Hatco Corp., Bindl worked at Harley-Davidson, Briggs & Stratton and ManpowerGroup. Hatco Corp. has hired Josh Beale as a key accounts specialist. Beale brings more than 10 years of account management experience. In his new role, he will support the company’s original equipment manufacturer accounts.
Veronica Blankenship | Photograph courtesy of Talking Rain Beverage Co.
At Talking Rain Beverage Co., Veronica Blankenship has assumed the position of chief people and communications officer, and Ryan Quinlan has been appointed senior vice president of sales and marketing.
Services and Associations
Ben Lucky is the new strategic director, retail and foodservice for King Retail Solutions, Orlando, Florida. The company provides c-stores, restaurants and retailers with smart design services, scalable in-house manufacturing and custom decor packages. Lucky most recently was vice president of foodservice at Cal’s Convenience, Frisco, Texas.
K.C. Kingsbury is the director of retail engagement east for NACS, Alexandria, Virginia. Kingsbury has more than two decades of industry experience and was most recently director of business optimization for the retail division of Brentwood, Tennessee-based Delek U.S.
Van Tarver, Julie Jackson | Photographs courtesy of InStore.ai
InStore.ai, Los Gatos, California, expanded its leadership team with four industry experts. Julie Jackson is senior vice president of fuel and convenience. She has a background in the fuel and convenience store industry, with executive leadership roles at Huntington Beach, California-based G&M Oil, Bakersfield, California-based Jaco Oil and Chicago-based bp. Van Tarver is senior advisor for fuel and convenience. Tarver spent eight years on the board of directors of the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) as well as president of fuel and convenience at Kroger. Mike Kennedy is the new senior advisor of hospitality at InStore.ai, and David Chugg is senior vice president of hospitality.
Arlington, Virginia-based SNAC International approved its 2024-2025 executive committee, which includes the following officers: Justin Spannuth of Unique Snacks as chairman, Phil Gusmano of Better Made Snack Foods as first vice chairman, Veronica Villasenor of The Hershey Co. as second vice chairwoman, Mike Harper of Rudolph Foods as past chairman, Dan Sifer of Herr Foods as past chairman, Julie Calef of Old Dutch Foods as treasurer, Leanne Oliver of PepsiCo Foods North America as secretary, Jeff Almond of Heat and Control as associate executive council president, Martin Hahn of Hogan Lovells US LLP as SNAC general counsel, and SNAC President and CEO Christine Cochran of SNAC International.
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