PEOPLE NEWS
The president of Anderson, Ind.-based Ricker Oil, Jay Ricker, was elected vice chairman of the convention committee for NACS. This newly created position will have Ricker leading NACS convention committee, the group that oversees the development and implementation of the association's events -- including the NACS show, one of the largest in the U.S., according to NACS.
Ricker currently serves on the NACS executive committee, which gives the association strategic direction and financial guidance. He has been a member of the NACS board of directors since 2000, and previously served two terms as vice chairman of industry relations. In addition, Ricker is a member of the government relations board committee and the NACS supplier board.
Outside of the association, Ricker also serves as chair of the Federated Risk Management Advisory Task Force for the c-store industry. He is a past chair of BP Amoco Marketers Association and past president of the Indiana Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Store Association.
He is also active in the community, where he serves as chairman of the Community Hospital of Anderson and is a member of the board of Community Health System of Indianapolis.
Ricker Oil Co., founded in 1979, operates 30 convenience stores throughout Indiana, as well as distributes petroleum and maintains other business ventures.
In other people news, Susser Holdings Corp., named Ronald D. Coben to the newly created position of executive vice resident and chief marketing officer.
Coben has more than 20 years experience with numerous retail groups, including Foley's, Computer Craft, Texas Commerce Bank and Bank United Corporation. Before joining Susser, Coben was the president of Think So LLC, an executive-level marketing consulting firm, where he assisted Susser in developing its proprietary Stripes brand and enhanced its Laredo Taco Company foodservice.
"Ron has been an instrumental part of our ongoing re-branding effort here at Susser," said CEO Sam L. Susser. "We are excited to be adding a professional with his knowledge and experience to our leadership team."
In supplier news, Mark VII Equipment Inc., a car wash equipment supplier, hired Murray Kennedy as its president and CEO. Kennedy will succeed Christian Bernert, who will become the CFO of Mark VII's parent company, WashTec AG.
Kennedy comes to Mark VII from Richardson Electronics, Ltd. There he served 12 years for the company as executive vice president and general manager of the Electron Device Group and the Industrial Power Group. He also held management positions at Litton Electron Devices Group and ITT Electron Devices Division.
"I'm thrilled that we found someone of Murray's caliber to run our US organization," said Thorsten Krueger, spokesman of the board of WashTec AG. "Christian has done a great job of managing the transition and integration process since WashTec acquired Mark VII earlier this year. With Murray's engineering background and depth of management experience in a manufacturing environment, he's the ideal choice for leading the company going forward."
In other supplier news, Maura Mottolese joins The Switch Beverage Co., maker of a carbonated 100 percent juice drink, as its president. Mottolese will report to the CEO of parent company Beverage Acquisition, Brian Boyd.
"We are thrilled to get a beverage executive onboard with so much relevant experience," said Boyd, CEO. "She brings energy, passion and the know-how we need."
She most recently held the position of senior vice president of marketing for Revlon. Prior to that, she spent almost 10 years at Snapple, undergoing ownership by both Triarc and Cadbury Schweppes Americas Beverages. At Snapple, she served as the director of innovation and new products. There she created the Whipper Snapple and its herb enhanced energy drink, Elements. Soon after, she was named VP of marketing for Snapple.
Before Snapple, Mottolese worked in Cadbury Schweppes' field marketing and brand management in its Hires and A&W Root Beer. She also held positions at Labatt USA, where she worked on its European import beer brands.
In other people news, convenience industry veteran, Rollie Trayte, joined Westec InterActive as its vice president of strategic development. There he will be responsible for developing customized security and operations programs for the c-store, petroleum, retail, specialty, and quick-serve markets.
Trayte comes to the position from three decades in the convenience industry and security industry. He spent time with ConocoPhillips, and Circle K, where he was the director of loss prevention and security.
A decade ago, Trayte became one of WesTec's first customers when he purchased interactive security systems for the chain’s West coast stores.
"Rollie Trayte's first-hand experience with Westec and his extensive industry experience gives our customers the kind of strategic perspective that quickly impacts their bottom line," said Gerald T. Vento, Westec InterActive chairman and owner. "We are pleased to welcome Rollie to this side of the team."
Ricker currently serves on the NACS executive committee, which gives the association strategic direction and financial guidance. He has been a member of the NACS board of directors since 2000, and previously served two terms as vice chairman of industry relations. In addition, Ricker is a member of the government relations board committee and the NACS supplier board.
Outside of the association, Ricker also serves as chair of the Federated Risk Management Advisory Task Force for the c-store industry. He is a past chair of BP Amoco Marketers Association and past president of the Indiana Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Store Association.
He is also active in the community, where he serves as chairman of the Community Hospital of Anderson and is a member of the board of Community Health System of Indianapolis.
Ricker Oil Co., founded in 1979, operates 30 convenience stores throughout Indiana, as well as distributes petroleum and maintains other business ventures.
In other people news, Susser Holdings Corp., named Ronald D. Coben to the newly created position of executive vice resident and chief marketing officer.
Coben has more than 20 years experience with numerous retail groups, including Foley's, Computer Craft, Texas Commerce Bank and Bank United Corporation. Before joining Susser, Coben was the president of Think So LLC, an executive-level marketing consulting firm, where he assisted Susser in developing its proprietary Stripes brand and enhanced its Laredo Taco Company foodservice.
"Ron has been an instrumental part of our ongoing re-branding effort here at Susser," said CEO Sam L. Susser. "We are excited to be adding a professional with his knowledge and experience to our leadership team."
In supplier news, Mark VII Equipment Inc., a car wash equipment supplier, hired Murray Kennedy as its president and CEO. Kennedy will succeed Christian Bernert, who will become the CFO of Mark VII's parent company, WashTec AG.
Kennedy comes to Mark VII from Richardson Electronics, Ltd. There he served 12 years for the company as executive vice president and general manager of the Electron Device Group and the Industrial Power Group. He also held management positions at Litton Electron Devices Group and ITT Electron Devices Division.
"I'm thrilled that we found someone of Murray's caliber to run our US organization," said Thorsten Krueger, spokesman of the board of WashTec AG. "Christian has done a great job of managing the transition and integration process since WashTec acquired Mark VII earlier this year. With Murray's engineering background and depth of management experience in a manufacturing environment, he's the ideal choice for leading the company going forward."
In other supplier news, Maura Mottolese joins The Switch Beverage Co., maker of a carbonated 100 percent juice drink, as its president. Mottolese will report to the CEO of parent company Beverage Acquisition, Brian Boyd.
"We are thrilled to get a beverage executive onboard with so much relevant experience," said Boyd, CEO. "She brings energy, passion and the know-how we need."
She most recently held the position of senior vice president of marketing for Revlon. Prior to that, she spent almost 10 years at Snapple, undergoing ownership by both Triarc and Cadbury Schweppes Americas Beverages. At Snapple, she served as the director of innovation and new products. There she created the Whipper Snapple and its herb enhanced energy drink, Elements. Soon after, she was named VP of marketing for Snapple.
Before Snapple, Mottolese worked in Cadbury Schweppes' field marketing and brand management in its Hires and A&W Root Beer. She also held positions at Labatt USA, where she worked on its European import beer brands.
In other people news, convenience industry veteran, Rollie Trayte, joined Westec InterActive as its vice president of strategic development. There he will be responsible for developing customized security and operations programs for the c-store, petroleum, retail, specialty, and quick-serve markets.
Trayte comes to the position from three decades in the convenience industry and security industry. He spent time with ConocoPhillips, and Circle K, where he was the director of loss prevention and security.
A decade ago, Trayte became one of WesTec's first customers when he purchased interactive security systems for the chain’s West coast stores.
"Rollie Trayte's first-hand experience with Westec and his extensive industry experience gives our customers the kind of strategic perspective that quickly impacts their bottom line," said Gerald T. Vento, Westec InterActive chairman and owner. "We are pleased to welcome Rollie to this side of the team."