2023 Category Managers of the Year

Apr. 06, 2023

CSP honors eight category managers who keep their product offers on the cutting edge while maintaining the tried and true elements of a set to achieve that balance of brands, flavors and SKUs that drive the most sales in a respective product category.

Dispensed Beverages: Jim Rastetter

Apr. 06, 2023

Jim Rastetter, dispensed beverage category manager for GPM Investments, Richmond, Virginia, has been with the company three and a half years, the entire time in this role. Prior to that, he worked at ...

2023 Category Managers of the Year

General Merchandise/HBC: Aubrey Thornock

Apr. 06, 2023

Aubrey Thornock, who has been with Maverik for more than two years, is well-versed in consumer packaged goods (CPG) standards and market trends. She is responsible for identifying and capitalizing on ...

2023 Category Managers of the Year

Behind the Counter: Alex Kupper

Apr. 06, 2023

Alex Kupper, senior category specialist for Thorntons, has been with the bp-owned convenience-store chain, in various roles, for seven years. The tobacco category is facing a multitude of challenges, ...

2023 Category Managers of the Year

Foodservice: Savannah Johnson

Apr. 06, 2023

Savannah Johnson, food category manager for Knoxville, Tennessee-based Pilot Co., has been with the company for more than seven years, four of those in foodservice. In her role, she oversees annual ca...

2023 Category Managers of the Year

Packaged Beverages-Alcohol: Shane Mabry

Apr. 06, 2023

Shane Mabry wants to make sure he has the best alcohol selection in every one of GPM Investments’ 1,404 stores. His vision and purpose overseeing the adult-beverage category for the Richmond, Virgi...

2023 Category Managers of the Year

Center Store: Brad Connell

Apr. 06, 2023

Brad Connell, senior category manager of center store for Chicago-based bp America Inc., sees opportunity in learning how to adapt swiftly to change and trends. His strength in adaptation suits his lo...

2023 Category Managers of the Year

Forecourt/Fuels: Sarah Blodgett

Apr. 06, 2023

Sarah Blodgett has been overseeing fuel for Casey’s General Stores, Ankeny, Iowa, since 2019. Her responsibilities include all items relating to the guest experience on the forecourt, including the pr...

2023 Category Managers of the Year

Packaged Beverages-Nonalcohol: Mike Orwat

Apr. 06, 2023

Right-sizing packaged beverages is Mike Orwat’s mission, and he’s seeking some science to help steer the process. “We need to find a more scientific way to balance the tried-and-true energy brands wit...

2023 Category Managers of the Year