Nicolas Papadopoulos
Nicolas Papadopoulos, Director New Markets
Verifone
Nicolas is Director of New Markets with extensive experience supporting petroleum retailers and convenience store operators across global markets. He specializes in driven growth through strategic partnerships, technology-enabled solutions and deep understanding of fuel, retail and payment ecosystems. Nicolas has served in various roles inside Verifone from product, sales and now responsible for growing Verifone's presence into new markets outside the US.
Darren Palmer
Darren Palmer, Global VP Electric Vehicle Programs
Ford Motor Company
Darren Palmer is the Global Vice President for Electric Vehicle Programs at Ford. He is responsible for all global programs current and future models.
Palmer led the inception and development of all of Ford’s current electric vehicles – the best-selling F-150 Lighting, Mustang Mach-, E-Transit, Electriic Explorer, Puma and the industry first, all-road sport SUV, the Mach-E Rally.
Palmer's key focus is developing products and experiences that resonate with consumers. He inspires large & diverse teams across multiple continents to deliver these products to global markets. His portfolio includes multiple award-winning vehicles, that are leaders in their field.
With extensive experience in global product development, Palmer has held positions in product development, product planning, manufacturing, and quality in the United Kingdom, Germany, and the United States. His work has also involved regular travel to South America, China, India, and Australia.
Recognized as a Motor Trend "Software Defined Vehicle" industry leader and part of the Automotive News Rising Star alumni, Palmer has cultivated a global network of industry colleagues.
He holds an MBA from Henley Management College, England, an electrical, electronics, and technology degree from Birmingham University, England, and is a member of the Institute of Engineering Technology (IET).
Sergio Padilla Navarro
Sergio Padilla Navarro, Global Networks Director
FEMSA
With over 15 years of experience in Retail Transformation and Strategic Planning, Sergio is a results-driven leader dedicated to empowering teams and fostering innovation. He champions the power of collaboration, data-driven decision-making, and the continuous enhancement of value propositions as key drivers of organizational excellence and sustainable competitive advantage. Sergio is convinced that any successful Strategy is a learning journey that starts with a strong customer-centric belief.
James Owens
James Owens, VP Retail Architecture
HFA Architecture
James Owens, a seasoned architect with over two decades of experience, brings a wealth of expertise to his role. As a Vice President at HFA Architecture + Engineering specializing in retail design, he leads a team of dedicated professionals within HFA's Franklin, MA Studio, overseeing projects in retail, convenience stores, travel centers, and fueling stations. James is an active member of the New England Convenience Store & Energy Marketers Association (NECSEMA), showcasing his commitment to the industry.
Beyond his leadership role, James contributes to industry knowledge by curating and publishing articles in prominent publications like Chain Store Age and Convenience Store News, among others. These articles focus on both the trends and challenges affecting the c-store market sector. In essence, James is not just an architect; he's a key player shaping the future of design and innovation in the retail landscape.
Jesper Østergaard
Jesper Østergaard, CEO
Reitan Convenience Denmark A/S
7-ELEVEN DANMARK
- City stores, railway stores and gas stations (Uno-X)
- First 7-Eleven store in Denmark opened in 1993
- Market leader in the Danish convenience market
- High focus on food & beverages – including healthier choices
- "Convenience retailer of the year 2019”, NACS
- Won “the plant-based product prize 2021” for offering a large range of plant-based products nationwide
JESPER ØSTERGAARD
- CEO since 2006
- Value driven and very operational / customer centric
- Driven by achieving goals with the franchisees and the team
Jesper Østergaard
Jesper Østergaard, CEO
Reitan Convenience Denmark A/S
7-ELEVEN DANMARK
- City stores, railway stores and gas stations (Uno-X)
- First 7-Eleven store in Denmark opened in 1993
- Market leader in the Danish convenience market
- High focus on food & beverages – including healthier choices
- "Convenience retailer of the year 2019”, NACS
- Won “the plant-based product prize 2021” for offering a large range of plant-based products nationwide
JESPER ØSTERGAARD
- CEO since 2006
- Value driven and very operational / customer centric
- Driven by achieving goals with the franchisees and the team
Kimberly Okafor
Kimberly Okafor, General Manager of Zero Emission Solutions
Trillium - A Love's Company
Kim Okafor is the General Manager of Zero Emission Solutions for the Love’s Family of Companies which includes Trillium Energy. Kim leads the strategy, development, and management of the EV charging, hydrogen fueling, and energy strategy businesses for the organization. Kim also leads the acquisition of grant funds for the organization. Under Kim’s leadership, Trillium and Love’s have increased its hydrogen portfolio to 5 fueling stations, it’s EV charging portfolio to over 230 ports, and acquired over $40M in grants funds.
Kim also actively serves on the Board of Directors for the California Hydrogen Business Council and has an Electrical Engineering degree from the University of Houston. Kim’s goal as the General Manager of Zero Emission Solutions is to develop economically sustainable business opportunities for our customers.
Chris Normandeau
Chris Normandeau, Director
FirstService Energy
Chris Normandeau is director of FirstService Energy in the East region. Normandeau collaborates with community associations managed by FirstService Residential to reduce energy and water use and costs by serving as a trusted advisor to boards. Normandeau helps clients make informed decisions—saving them money, minimizing their carbon footprint, and improving their quality of life.
Prior to joining FirstService Energy, Normandeau was co-founder of Core, a New York City-based sustainable project management firm which focused on maximizing client savings while minimizing environmental impact. He also served as a Project Manager for construction firm OmniBuild, where he was involved in all aspects of design, construction and budgeting, including overseeing energy efficiency projects across New York State. Normandeau, who earned a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, is a Certified Energy Manager (C.E.M.), is Lighting Certified (LC), and is a LEED AP BD+C®. He has saved his clients more than 100 million dollars by putting his considerable energy knowledge and expertise to work for them. Normandeau believes in the value of providing his clients with the tools and knowledge needed to continue reducing their carbon footprint, long after his energy savings initiatives have been put in place.
Donald Rhoads
Donald Rhoads, President/CEO
The Convenience Group, LLC
COMPANY: The Convenience Group, LLC owns and operates 6 convenience stores and franchises 3 convenience stores in Southwest Washington state. The chain was awarded 2018 and 2024 Washington State Retailer of the Year by the Washington Food Industry and Independent Grocers Association.
DON’S BACKGROUND BUSINESS: Don is the owner and CEO of The Convenience Group, LLC and has led the company in strategic growth, planning and establishment of long-term goals and policies, and building the company’s asset portfolio. Don began his convenience store career in 1989 as President of the Quick Shop Minit Mart, a 65-unit convenience store chain located in Vancouver, Washington. Don is past Chairman of National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS), Chairman of NACS Political Engagement Committee and serves on the NACS Executive Committee, which provides strategic direction and financial oversight to the association. Don is past President and founding member of Washington Association of Neighborhood Stores.
EDUCATION: St. Mary’s College; Western Washington University; National Development Council; NACS Financial Leadership Program, Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania; NACS Marketing Leadership Program, Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University, NACS Innovation Leadership Program at Massachusetts Institute of Technology and NACS Executive Leadership Program at Dyson Cornell College of Business.
FAMILY: Don and Jennifer have two children.
ACTIVITIES: Family, travel and outdoor activities.
Deb Peck Kelleher
Deb Peck Kelleher, Deputy Director
Alliance for Clean Energy NY
Deb Peck Kelleher is excited to be working on clean energy policy after over 20 years with the New York State Legislature, with 10 of those years as the Committee Director for the Senate Environmental Conservation Committee, and the Senate Investigation and Government Operations Committee. She has worked on the net- metering law, the electric vehicles tax credit, and the reorganization of the Long Island Power Authority. She has extensive experience in New York State environmental policy and worked closely on expanding the Environmental Protection Fund, the drafting and passage of the State’s Brownfield Program, the Community Preservation Act, the Invasive Species Council, the phase out of MTBE from gasoline, and the protection of Long Island’s sole source aquifer. She was also the Director of the Senate Education Committee, Alcoholism and Addiction Committee, and the Infrastructure Committee.
She leads ACE NYs energy efficiency, transportation electrification work. Deb holds a Master's Degree in Environmental Policy from the University of Wisconsin - Green Bay with a focus on environmental economics and a B.A. in economics from LeMoyne College.