People on the Move: Kum & Go, Chevron & Molson Coors
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.
Chevron Corp.
Elizabeth “Betsy” Hosick, general manager for downstream, midstream and services for Chevron Corp., has been elevated to board chair of the Network of Executive Women (NEW). She previously served as vice chair.
Hosick replaces Catherine Lindner, who resigned to take on a new role as chief marketing and merchant officer of Shelfbucks Inc. Hosick will work with NEW officers and fellow board members to provide strategic direction to the organization.
Kum & Go LC
Pleasant Hill, Iowa, Mayor Sara Kurovski has been hired by West Des Moines, Iowa-based Kum & Go as the company's sustainability manager. Kurovski will continue to serve as mayor of Pleasant Hill, which is a part-time position, according to media reports.
"What was attractive to me about Kum & Go is that they have such an impact on the communities they're in," Kurovski said. "I'm very much looking forward to getting started. I'm sure there will be tremendous opportunities for me while I'm there."
Previously, Kurovski worked for more than seven years for Metro Waste Authority, and most recently was assistant director with Keep Iowa Beautiful. She was elected mayor in November 2013.
Mark VII Equipment Inc.
Mark VII Equipment, the North America subsidiary of WashTec AG of Germany and manufacturer of vehicle cleaning systems, announced that CEO Steve Jeffs will retire at the end of this year.
Jeffs joined WashTec in 2005 as managing director of its United Kingdom subsidiary. In 2007, he relocated to Colorado, where he served four years as vice president of sales for Mark VII prior to becoming CEO in 2011.
WashTec is conducting a search for his replacement with the goal of having his successor in place by January 2015. As part of the planned transition, Pierre-Yves Leclercq, director of operations for Mark VII Canada, and Ryan Beaty, vice president of direct sales for Mark VII US, will assume additional responsibilities for North America operations effective Oct. 1.
Molson Coors Brewing Co.
After a 40-year career in the beer business, Molson Coors CEO and President Peter S. Swinburn has decided to retire from the company and its board of directors effective Dec. 31.
The board selected Mark R. Hunter, currently CEO and president of Molson Coors Europe and a 25-year industry veteran, to be the new chief executive and president of Molson Coors upon Swinburn’s retirement, at which time Hunter will also join the company’s board.
Swinburn, 61, who has served as Molson Coors’ CEO since 2008, will continue to lead the company until his retirement, working closely with the board and Hunter to ensure a smooth transition.
NCR Corp.
Michael Bayer is joining NCR, a supplier of consumer transaction technologies, as senior vice president and president of its Retail Solutions Division.
Bayer, who will report to NCR Chairman and CEO Bill Nuti, comes to this new role with vast experience in communications technology, most recently serving as president of global growth markets for Avaya. He's also held leadership positions at companies such as Motorola, Symbol Technologies and Cisco.