Joe Boyle
Joe Boyle, Chief Executive Officer
FRESHSTOP
Joe Boyle is the Chief Executive Office of FreshStop, a leading forecourt convenience store in South Africa - part of the Foo Lover’s Market Group. Joe began his career in Ireland, where he trained as an Apprentice Baker before emigrating to South Africa in 1983, Married with two children he settled in Nelspruit near his in-laws, he found employment with a construction company, contributing to the Sappi paper mill expansion at Ngodwana for nearly four years. His children's need for better educational opportunities prompted a move to Randburg, where his 3 child was born.
Entering the retail sector as a Bakery Manager at Hyperama Sandton, Joe quickly ascended to Specialty Food Manager. His ambition led him to a management training program that included an intensive two-year course akin to a mini MBA, culminating in a thorough 14-week retail overview with 17 challenging exams. Excelling in his studies, Joe graduated top of his class of 32, leading to a Buyer position at Hyperama's Head Office. He impressively grew his purchasing portfolio there from R1.5 million to over R100 million per month over six years.
In 1994, the he was appointed as Operations Manager at King Pie, a modestly sized franchise with 16 stores. Within three years, Joe ascended to the role of Managing Director as the brand expanded its presence to nearly 300 stores within South Africa and ventured globally with openings in Australia, New Zealand, Poland, and England.
Following King Pie's acquisition by Rebhold, subsequently renamed Mvelaphanda, the franchise met its profit targets ahead of schedule under Joe’s leadership. Simultaneously, sluggish growth and profitability issues at Royal Foods Services, another Rebhold subsidiary in Durban's contract catering sector, prompted shareholders to assign him to groom a new Managing Director for King Pie and oversee profitability and growth improvements at Royal Foods Services. Key to success was advancing the company's BEE rating and merging it with Sechaba Afrika. Joe’s efforts were instrumental in increasing annual turnover from R130 million to nearly R500 million over five years and reaching satisfactory profit margins. Cyril Ramaphosa, now President of South Africa, collaborated on this project.
While serving Royal Foods Services, they pursued an MBA from Wits University over two years and passed all courses but had to forgo the final paper due to a career transition.
In December 2004, Butterfield Bakery enticed Joe with an Operational Director role that included equity participation. Despite initial financial losses and challenging circumstances, his leadership led to a company turnaround. The goal was set by the primary shareholder to sell the company within three years at a value correlating with three to four years of pre-tax profits. This objective was met when Butterfield Bakery sold for more than triple its PBT after three years. After taking a two-month hiatus, Joe resumed his career at Fruit & Veg City in March 2008, taking on the role of Director for the FreshStop Brand, which initially included 14 stores. Since then, the brand has expanded to 330 franchised stores. The key goal was to develop and scale a robust business model designed to grow within the range of 300 to 400 stores throughout Southern Africa.
During Joe’s tenure with organisations such as Hyperama, King Pie, Royal Foods Services, and Butterfield, they actively participated in numerous professional development programs covering Marketing, Advertising, Sales, Project Management, Leadership, Emotional Intelligence, and Financial Management.
Joe has cultivated considerable networking connections and gained deep insights into his field by serving in various capacities across industry forums. His roles have included Council Member of the Franchise Association of South Africa, Vice President of the National Association of Catering Executives, Board Member of the Chamber of Baking in South Africa, and Treasurer of the Craft Bakers Association of South Africa. Additionally, he was appointed as a Board Member on the NACS (National Association of Convenience Stores) International Board.
Agnieszka Bobrukiewicz
Agnieszka Bobrukiewicz, Board Member of Orlen Unipetrol, Dir. Non-fuel Segment for ORLEN S.A
ORLEN Unipetrol a.s.
AGNIESZKA BOBRUKIEWICZ is a member of the ORLEN Unipetrol Group’s Board of Directors, responsible for retail in the Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia and Austria, and serves as Executive Director for the ORLEN Group’s non-fuel segment.
She is a senior executive with 20+ years of international experience in fuel and convenience retail and FMCG across Central and Eastern Europe. In her current roles, she oversees P&L for ORLEN retail operations in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary and Austria and leads the non-fuel business across seven markets: Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Austria, Germany and Lithuania, shaping the ORLEN Group’s non-fuel strategy.
Agnieszka has a proven track record in driving business transformation, strengthening retail brands and delivering growth across fuel and non-fuel segments, including convenience and food. She has extensive experience leading cross-border teams, launching new formats and executing commercial strategies in highly competitive markets.
She focuses on innovation, customer experience and building high-performing teams that deliver sustained business impact.
Alongside her executive responsibilities, she has for many years actively supported women in business through close collaboration with foundations and women’s professional organizations, advancing leadership development, inclusion and equal opportunities across markets.
Agnieszka Bobrukiewicz
Agnieszka Bobrukiewicz, Board Member of Orlen Unipetrol, Dir. Non-fuel Segment for ORLEN S.A
ORLEN Unipetrol a.s.
AGNIESZKA BOBRUKIEWICZ is a member of the ORLEN Unipetrol Group’s Board of Directors, responsible for retail in the Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia and Austria, and serves as Executive Director for the ORLEN Group’s non-fuel segment.
She is a senior executive with 20+ years of international experience in fuel and convenience retail and FMCG across Central and Eastern Europe. In her current roles, she oversees P&L for ORLEN retail operations in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary and Austria and leads the non-fuel business across seven markets: Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Austria, Germany and Lithuania, shaping the ORLEN Group’s non-fuel strategy.
Agnieszka has a proven track record in driving business transformation, strengthening retail brands and delivering growth across fuel and non-fuel segments, including convenience and food. She has extensive experience leading cross-border teams, launching new formats and executing commercial strategies in highly competitive markets.
She focuses on innovation, customer experience and building high-performing teams that deliver sustained business impact.
Alongside her executive responsibilities, she has for many years actively supported women in business through close collaboration with foundations and women’s professional organizations, advancing leadership development, inclusion and equal opportunities across markets.
Ryan Blevins
Ryan Blevins, Vice President of Sales and Operations
Fresh Stop
Ryan Blevins is an award-winning Executive Culinary Strategist with over 20 years’ experience managing the full cycle of culinary product development across various sectors of the Food and Beverage industry. He is currently the Senior Vice President of Sales and Operations for Fresh Stop where he is pioneering transformative strategies proven to drive traffic, sales, and profits. Prior to Fresh Stop, Ryan spent many years in QSR, fine and casual dining leveraging competitive menu positioning and consumer insights to create unparalleled, craveable experiences, directing processes from ideation, testing, and analysis through launch. He has worked in kitchens all over the world including places like Italy, Thailand, South Korea and Saudi Arabia. He is a father of Daniel and Heather and husband to Isabel.
Sheila Bennett
Sheila Bennett, Founder
Sheila Bennett Consulting
Strategic business development and operations leader with 20+ years of experience in the foodservice industry and nonprofit space in driving revenue growth and organizational impact. A trusted relationship builder with a deep hospitality background and a proven track record of building and scaling programs within both for-profit and nonprofit organizations. Experience working in full-service food and beverage service operations, in national accounts and purchasing in foodservice distribution, as VP Development for an e-Marketing technology and analytics company and creating national fundraising programs and leading a national nonprofit. Known for developing high-performing teams, strengthening franchise and partner performance, and delivering value for operators, buyers, sellers, and communities nationwide.
Glennie Bench
Glennie Bench, President
Southwest Georgia Oil Company, Inc
Glennie Cox Bench serves as President and Chief Operating Officer of Southwest Georgia Oil Company. She oversees the company’s leadership teams and works closely with Operations, Marketing, Accounting, and Human Resources in developing and implementing the company’s strategic vision. Southwest Georgia Oil Company owns and operates 80 convenience stores and grocery stores, a petroleum hauling business and employs 1000 people across three states.
Glennie earner her Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting degree at Valdosta State University and is also a Certified Public Accountant, receiving her CPA license in 1989.
In addition to overseeing the day-to-day operations at Southwest Georgia Oil Company, Glennie shares her expertise in accounting and finance by serving her community in various capacities. She is an At-Large Council Member for The City of Bainbridge, Georgia, where she is serving her fourth term. Glennie is also Chairperson of the Bainbridge-Decatur County Hospital Authority and a past President of her local Rotary Club. Glennie is married to Steve, a retired teacher and football coach, and they have one son, Steven, who is a local business owner.
Frank Beard
Frank Beard, Head of Marketing
Rovertown
I'm a Des Moines, Iowa-based marketer, speaker, and writer who focuses on the convenience retailing industry. I'm currently the Head of Marketing at Rovertown, the leading app platform for convenience retailers. Past affiliations include Standard AI and GasBuddy.
I frequently speak at events where I focus on 1) convenience retail trends, 2) retail technology, and 3) lessons from having visited thousands of convenience stores across the United States and internationally. Past presentations include the NACS Show, National Restaurant Association Show, Summer Fancy Food Show, NACS CEO Summit DACH, Handel & Wandel, AACS Convenience Leaders Summit in Sydney, and numerous regional and corporate events.
My analyses and commentary have been featured in the Wall Street Journal, NPR, Bloomberg, Grocery Dive, the Washington Post, Atlas Obscura, and more. I currently write a monthly column for C-Store Dive called "The Road Ahead."
On a personal level, I once spent a month eating at convenience stores to prove that healthy on-the-go options do exist. I'm also an active cyclist and enjoy participating in RAGBRAI—the nation’s oldest, longest, and largest organized bike ride.
Frank Beard
Frank Beard, Head of Marketing
Rovertown
I'm a Des Moines, Iowa-based marketer, speaker, and writer who focuses on the convenience retailing industry. I'm currently the Head of Marketing at Rovertown, the leading app platform for convenience retailers. Past affiliations include Standard AI and GasBuddy.
I frequently speak at events where I focus on 1) convenience retail trends, 2) retail technology, and 3) lessons from having visited thousands of convenience stores across the United States and internationally. Past presentations include the NACS Show, National Restaurant Association Show, Summer Fancy Food Show, NACS CEO Summit DACH, Handel & Wandel, AACS Convenience Leaders Summit in Sydney, and numerous regional and corporate events.
My analyses and commentary have been featured in the Wall Street Journal, NPR, Bloomberg, Grocery Dive, the Washington Post, Atlas Obscura, and more. I currently write a monthly column for C-Store Dive called "The Road Ahead."
On a personal level, I once spent a month eating at convenience stores to prove that healthy on-the-go options do exist. I'm also an active cyclist and enjoy participating in RAGBRAI—the nation’s oldest, longest, and largest organized bike ride.
Chris Bambury
Chris Bambury, President
Bambury, Inc. dba Bonneau Markets
Chris is the President of Bambury, Inc., a fourth-generation fuel and convenience business rooted in Northern California’s wine country. Founded in 1922, the company has grown under Chris’s leadership from a legacy family business into a modern, tech-forward enterprise. He has driven expansion, embraced innovation, and launched the successful BONNEAU fuel brand in 2021, carrying on the entrepreneurial spirit of company founders August & Catherine Bonneau.
Chris began his career in information technology with a national internet service provider before joining the family business as an entry-level c-store employee—a hands-on experience that continues to shape his leadership philosophy.
He is an active industry leader. In 2023, Chris served as President of the California Fuels & Convenience Alliance (CFCA), the state association representing over 10,000 fuel and convenience locations. In 2017, he chaired the Pacific Fuels & Convenience Summit (PFCS), an event that draws over 1,500 attendees annually and achieved a record net profit that stood until 2024. He currently serves on the Executive Committee of the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) and chairs its Retail Engagement Committee.
Chris is committed to innovation, collaboration, and operational excellence. He continues to focus on sustainable growth, industry advocacy, and delivering long-term value to partners, customers, and the communities he serves.
Chris Bambury
Chris Bambury, President
Bambury, Inc. dba Bonneau Markets
Chris is the President of Bambury, Inc., a fourth-generation fuel and convenience business rooted in Northern California’s wine country. Founded in 1922, the company has grown under Chris’s leadership from a legacy family business into a modern, tech-forward enterprise. He has driven expansion, embraced innovation, and launched the successful BONNEAU fuel brand in 2021, carrying on the entrepreneurial spirit of company founders August & Catherine Bonneau.
Chris began his career in information technology with a national internet service provider before joining the family business as an entry-level c-store employee—a hands-on experience that continues to shape his leadership philosophy.
He is an active industry leader. In 2023, Chris served as President of the California Fuels & Convenience Alliance (CFCA), the state association representing over 10,000 fuel and convenience locations. In 2017, he chaired the Pacific Fuels & Convenience Summit (PFCS), an event that draws over 1,500 attendees annually and achieved a record net profit that stood until 2024. He currently serves on the Executive Committee of the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) and chairs its Retail Engagement Committee.
Chris is committed to innovation, collaboration, and operational excellence. He continues to focus on sustainable growth, industry advocacy, and delivering long-term value to partners, customers, and the communities he serves.