Israel Getzel
Israel Getzel, VP of Operations
Gastrak Operators LLC
Israel Getzel is an accomplished operations executive with more than 30 years of experience leading businesses across convenience stores, fuel retail, hospitality, food service, catering, purchasing, accounting, and team management. He currently serves in senior operations leadership with Gastrak Operators / Malana Hotels, where he oversees multi-location operations, revenue growth, cost control, quality standards, safety procedures, vendor relationships, purchasing strategies, and financial performance across U.S. locations.
Known for his strong analytical judgment, negotiation skills, and relationship-focused leadership style, Israel has built a record of success in business development, contract negotiations, budgeting, sales and marketing initiatives, vendor evaluation, POS and back-office system implementation, and operational turnarounds. His background also includes executive and ownership roles in restaurant management, kosher catering, and food and beverage concessions, giving him a practical understanding of both corporate operations and customer-facing service environments.
Fluent in English and Spanish, Israel is recognized as an effective communicator who works well with diverse teams, vendors, and clients. He brings a proactive, solutions-oriented approach to improving processes, strengthening teams, controlling expenses, and supporting sustainable business growth.
Annie St. Romain Gauthier
Y-Not Stop – St. Romain Oil
CFO/Co-CEO
Annie Gauthier is the CFO/Co-CEO at St. Romain Oil Company in Mansura, Louisiana. She is responsible for the company's finance and accounting, risk management, HR and strategic and culture development. A third-generation co-owner, she works with her 2 brothers, 2 uncles, 2 aunts, and 350 other team members to refuel & refresh the Louisiana communities where they operate.
Annie earned her BA in British history at LSU, then discovered that law school was not for her. She worked for the Louisiana Oil Marketers & Convenience Store Association (LOMCSA) for 3 years before joining the family business in 2005. She has served in various leadership roles with LOMCSA, culminating with President in 2017. Annie is also a founding member of Corporate Works of Mercy Foundation, a private 501(c)3 focused on helping neighbors in need by living the biblical corporal works of mercy. Her purpose is to chart tomorrow's course from yesterday's lessons.
Married to her high school sweetheart, Adam, and mother to 3 young children, Samuel, Ellen and Henry, Annie lives in her small hometown of Mansura. She enjoys cooking, reading, traveling and planning trips (especially to Britain, Ireland and France).
Annie St. Romain Gauthier
Y-Not Stop – St. Romain Oil
CFO/Co-CEO
Annie Gauthier is the CFO/Co-CEO at St. Romain Oil Company in Mansura, Louisiana. She is responsible for the company's finance and accounting, risk management, HR and strategic and culture development. A third-generation co-owner, she works with her 2 brothers, 2 uncles, 2 aunts, and 350 other team members to refuel & refresh the Louisiana communities where they operate.
Annie earned her BA in British history at LSU, then discovered that law school was not for her. She worked for the Louisiana Oil Marketers & Convenience Store Association (LOMCSA) for 3 years before joining the family business in 2005. She has served in various leadership roles with LOMCSA, culminating with President in 2017. Annie is also a founding member of Corporate Works of Mercy Foundation, a private 501(c)3 focused on helping neighbors in need by living the biblical corporal works of mercy. Her purpose is to chart tomorrow's course from yesterday's lessons.
Married to her high school sweetheart, Adam, and mother to 3 young children, Samuel, Ellen and Henry, Annie lives in her small hometown of Mansura. She enjoys cooking, reading, traveling and planning trips (especially to Britain, Ireland and France).
Rob Garf
Rob Garf, Head of Strategy and Insights
Cordial
Rob is Head of Strategy and Insights at Cordial. He has spent his career on various sides of the retail table - as practitioner, industry analyst, strategy consultant, and software executive. Rob’s worked with executives worldwide to help them accelerate digital transformation. He was most recently VP and GM of Retail and Consumer Goods at Salesforce where he led Product Strategy and Industry Insights. Rob's a member of NRF’s Digital Council, one of 50 top Retail Voices by NRF, a RETHINK Retail Top Expert, and on the Executive Leadership Committee for the Retail AI Council.
Stephanie Galentine
Stephanie Galentine, COO
Lassus Bros. Oil, Inc.
Stephanie Galentine, Chief Operating Officer at Lassus Brothers Oil, Inc., has been a part of the company since 1995. Her career in the convenience and fuel retailing industry has been marked by her diverse roles and her unwavering focus on people. Whether it's through training, professional development, or fostering a culture of servant leadership, Stephanie firmly believes that the well-being of individuals is the cornerstone of all successes.
Stephanie's commitment to servant leadership extends beyond her professional relationships. She actively participates in her parish and dedicates time to volunteer work and fundraising for the local community. Married with three sons, she treasures the moments she spends with her family, cherishing quality time as often as possible.
Nick Franco
Nick Franco, SVP Sales and Customer Success
ThinkSys Inc.
Accomplished executive business and technology leader. Over 20 years experience driving revenue in the multi-site C-store, retail, and restaurant industries. Proven track record of building C-level and partner relationships, developing channel programs, and leading enterprise sales.
Experienced in custom software development, AI, networking, network security, cybers security, PCI compliance, IoT, edge computing, multi-site retail technology and operations.
Theo Foukkare
Theo Foukkare, Chief Executive Officer
Australian Association of Convenience Stores (AACS)
Theo Foukkare is the CEO of the Australian Association of Convenience Stores (AACS), bringing extensive leadership experience and strategic vision to the dynamic convenience retail industry.
Passionate about driving growth, innovation, and sustainability within the channel, Theo is a trusted voice for retailers, suppliers, government stakeholders & the media.
Theo’s collaborative approach ensures that AACS remains a leading advocate for the convenience channel, prioritizing both the success of legitimate businesses and the broader community’s needs. An experienced and strategic leader, Theo is committed to helping shape the future of Convenience in Australia through his advocacy, thought leadership, and focus on protecting the interests of the industry.
John Flood
John Flood, Managing Director
Elevate Performance
Seasoned executive, expert in organizational design, team development. Forward looking leader with a proven track record of identifying and scaling business opportunities that address shifting business and consumer desires. Understands the rigor and execution required to deliver products and services that delight each client.
Fully committed to the success of the organizations he has founded, co-founded and invested in.
Prior to retirement from corporate life, John was a Proven Executive with a track record of developing and leading teams to realize and optimize profit and growth with Fortune 500 and privately held organizations.
- Decisive senior executive with extensive business and performance development experience. Provides sound, strategic vision and planning to executives looking to improve sales, marketing and operations performance in large, complex businesses and privately held entrepreneurial ventures.
- Proven ability to inspire organizations to deliver exceptional results in operations, sales, trade spending efficiency, innovation, new product development, organizational development and profit.
- Recognized by peers and customers as a passionate leader with unquestioned integrity.
Entire working career was in the food industry, most notably as President of both the Sara Deli and Foodservice business units. Post retirement, John continues to contribute to the advancement of organizations both domestically and internationally as he supports clients seeking his experience in assessing and vetting business and investment opportunities.