Conexxus Celebrates 2015 Technology Hall of Fame Induction
ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Ann was a popular name Monday night at the Conexxus Hall of Fame Induction and Reception.
Ann Seki, former PCI program manager for Chevron Corp., and Ann Dozier, senior vice president and chief information officer at Southern Wine & Spirits of America, were welcomed into the exclusive group during the 2015 Conexxus Annual Conference.
Seki, who passed away in 2014, created Conexxus’ (then known as PCATS) Technology Standards Committee, which attracted an impressive 45 people when it hosted its first meeting. She was remembered as a “bulldog” who would never take “no” for an answer.
“She worked me so hard [to advance our industry]. I had to divorce my own wife because I couldn’t divorce her,” joked Gray Taylor, executive director of Conexxus.
Phil Schwartz of Valero Energy Corp., who replaced Seki as head of the Technology Standards Committee following her passing, remarked that Seki was not a bulldog, but a pit bull.
“Ann made data security sexy. She moved the needle,” Schwartz said during the Hall of Fame event, which took place in the Mainsail Room of the Loews Annapolis Hotel. “[Data security] is a big deal these days. Ask Target. Ask Home Depot.”
Accepting the Hall of Fame honor on Seki’s behalf was Chevron’s Ron Hilmes.
Bringing Technology to the Forefront
Another Ann — Conexxus Office Manager Ann Zecca — introduced Dozier, who was integral in the creation of PCATS and sat on its first board of directors. Dozier served The Coca-Cola Co. for 19 years before joining Southern Wine & Spirits of America.
“Ann brought technology to the forefront,” said Zecca. “... She has moved on from [Coca-Cola, but] the industry has truly missed her.”
In her acceptance speech, Dozier stressed how great the convenience store industry is and how she was pleased to see many of the same faces she used to work with.
“I want to tell you how honored I am to be here,” she said. “The 19 years I spent with Coca-Cola were a huge part of my life.”
Dozier concluded that a strong legacy is very important to her and she is proud to be part of an exclusive group of incredible Hall of Famers.
The executive named every prior Conexxus Hall of Fame member by name, and specifically focused on two of her greatest influences: John Hervey and Terri Richman, former NACS executives who were inducted posthumously as the first Conexxus Hall of Famers in 2011.
“John was always like a father to me,” said Dozier. “Terri always pushed me to go further.”
The 2015 Conexxus Annual Conference continues through April 30 at the Loews Annapolis Hotel.