People on the Move: SAS, R.J. Reynolds & Hershey

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, CSNews Online runs down the most recent executive changes, new hires, promotions and people achievements happening in the industry.

The Hershey Co.

J.P. Bilbrey, president and CEO of The Hershey Co., was named a 2014 Responsible CEO of the Year Award winner by Corporate Responsibility Magazine. The awards are presented to CEOs across industries who visibly exceed standards in the areas of employee relations, environmental impact, human rights, philanthropy and corporate responsibility practices.

During the past three years, Bilbrey has led Hershey through substantial progress in its global corporate social responsibility (CSR) efforts. Hershey’s CSR excellence has earned the company recognition in the prestigious Dow Jones Sustainability World and North America Indexes.

In other company news, David W. Tacka, senior vice president and chief financial officer, will retire from Hershey at the end of this year. The company has engaged a leading executive search firm to conduct a national search for his successor. 

Mistic Electronic Cigarettes

Mistic expanded its national sales organization with the addition of four new regional sales management positions. Gina Simmons has been named regional vice president of sales, Southeast. Frank Maglio is regional vice president of sales, Northeast. Todd Hassenfelt has been named regional vice president of sales, Midwest. And Annie Turner is regional vice president of sales, West.

Simmons, Maglio, Hassenfelt and Turner all previously worked for Altria Group.

National Payment Card Association

National Payment Card Association (NPCA) named Stephen Goodrich as the company’s new CEO. A veteran of the payments industry, Goodrich joined NPCA as president in 2012 after serving on its board for two years.

In his new leadership role, Goodrich — who replaces founder Joe Randazza — will continue to build out the organization’s decoupled debit (ACH) and mobile payment platforms, with an eye toward emerging verticals and consumer opportunities. Randazza remains on the board.

R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co.

Michael P. Auger, currently vice president of trade marketing development for R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co., will be promoted to executive vice president of trade marketing, effective Jan. 1. Auger will replace Robert D. Stowe, who plans to retire at the end of 2014.

Colin M. Uffindell, currently area vice president of trade marketing for R.J. Reynolds, will become vice president of trade marketing development for the company, replacing Auger.

Chris Gaskin, currently senior director of consumer marketing for R.J. Reynolds, will be promoted to area vice president of trade marketing, replacing Uffindell.

In other company news, Debra A. Crew has been named president and chief commercial officer of R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co., effective Oct. 1. Crew is currently the president and general manager of PepsiCo North America Nutrition. She joined PepsiCo in 2010 as president of the Western Europe region of PepsiCo Europe. In 2012, she was named president of PepsiCo Americas Beverage. She assumed her current role earlier in 2014.

Andrew D. Gilchrist, the current president and chief commercial officer, will become executive vice president of Reynolds American Inc., effective Oct. 1.

S. Abraham & Sons

After serving 27 years as vice president of marketing for convenience distributor S. Abraham & Sons (SAS), James Anderson retired in September. With his departure, SAS announced it is realigning its marketing department. 

George H. Bennett, vice president of sales, now assumes the additional responsibility of marketing. Bennett’s new title is vice president of sales and marketing. He will lead all sales, marketing and promotional programs for customers.  

James A. Leonard, chief financial officer and vice president of administration, assumes the additional responsibility of procurement and inventory management.

Stacey Camp has become the senior purchasing manager, reporting to Leonard. Kaye Powell, director of trade relations, assumes the new position of vice president of trade relations and event planning. And Brenda Francisco, manager of sales administration, has accepted the new position of senior manager of retail programs.