Jonathan Polonsky
Jonathan Polonsky, CEO
Plaid Pantry
Jonathan Polonsky is the current Chairman and CEO of Plaid Pantry, a regional convenience store company headquartered in Portland, OR. Plaid Pantry owns and operates 107 stores in Oregon and Washington. Mr. Polonsky joined Plaid Pantry in July 2012 as COO, was promoted to President in 2016 and to CEO in 2018. Prior to his experience at Plaid, Mr. Polonsky spent 12 years with a NW packaging distributer as a sales executive. His other career experience includes 7 years as an executive with May Company Department Stores and 4 years as a co-owner of a regional retail store safety & sanitation distribution company. Mr. Polonsky has a Bachelor Degree from the University of Washington.
Outside of work, Mr. Polonsky enjoys spending time outdoors across the Pacific Northwest, cycling, playing handball, and exploring hard to get to locations courtesy of his private pilot’s license. Mr. Polonsky lives in Portland, OR with his wife, Jessica.
Francisco Pineda
Francisco Pineda, COO and EVP for Business and Operations
The New School
Francisco X. Pineda is a faculty member at Columbia University and Executive Vice President (Deputy Commissioner) at the New York City Economic Development Corporation where he oversees NYC's largest real estate (60 million square feet) and waterfront ports portfolio as well as the largest urban de-carbonization program in the USA. He is also a Fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (UK) and his research and professional interests lie in organizational intelligence, critical capabilities, and the structuring and management of complex project-based teams and enterprises.
In his twenty-year career, he has worked on all aspects of the development cycle—investment, development, and construction. He has led and turned around property development companies and construction projects, as well as businesses in hospitality, building materials, energy and more recently in climate-tech focused on waste valorization in Mexico.
His early career included corporate strategy roles at Hess as well as investment banking and private equity at Merrill Lynch. He was also engaged to lead one of the Middle East’s largest corporate recovery initiatives working alongside Shearman & Sterling and Moelis & Co. on restructuring a $1.6 billion real estate portfolio.
He holds an MBA in Finance from Columbia Business School, an MPA in Applied Economics from Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs and a BA in History. He is currently pursuing his PhD in Urban Systems at NYU’s Tandon School of Engineering advancing his research on Sustainable Regional Systems and the intersection of finance, technology, and governance and has completed advanced courses at the US Naval War College in Newport, RI.
In 2018, he was selected as a Presidential Leadership Scholar by the Clinton‐GW Bush‐HW Bush‐LBJ Foundations and continues to serve as a US Navy (Reserves) supply and logistics officer attached to US Forces Korea in support of Joint Logistics and the UN and with previous operational tours to Africa in support of Global War on Terror Operations and Asia in support of large-scale war game exercises in the Pacific.
He has served on several boards, industry committees, and as a senior advisor:
- NYC Mayor Task Force, Assessment and Recommendations of NYC Contracting and Procurement Reform
- MTA, Member of the Major Construction Review Unit
- Biden Infrastructure Policy Committee 2020
- World Economic Forum, Infrastructure 4.0
- Urban Land Institute’s (ULI-NY) Program Steering Committee
- Cities4All Global Leaders Council (Ford Foundation, UN-United Cities & Local Government)
Selected Projects & Deal Experience
- New York MTA (Metropolitan Transportation Authority) +$11 billion East Side Access Ops Readiness Review: Member of the MTA’s Major Construction Review Unit (MCRU)
- New York MTA (Metropolitan Transportation Authority) ~$2 billion Penn Station Access Project: Appointed member of the MTA’s Major Construction Review Unit (MCRU)
- $4 billion Delta/La Guardia Airport Reconfiguration Plan (NYC) Advisor to General Superintendent on Field Training and Development
- $7 billion Columbia University Manhattanville Development (NYC) Advisor on Sub-contractor Diversity Procurement and Development, MWBE
- $1.6 billion Restructuring of Sovereign Wealth Fund Real Estate and Construction Portfolio SVP Investment and Development and Executive Restructuring Committee (Infra, Hospitality, F&B, and Luxury Resi Assets)
Nick Peters
Nick Peters, VP - IT
Campbell Oil Company
I am an IT professional with over 20 years experience in the convenience retail field. Starting off my career in operations, I then converted over to the IT side of the industry over 15 years ago.
As a strong believer in technology, I have always been forward-thinking as it comes to the application and practicality of new capabilities. I’m also a supporter of industry collaboration and standardization in an effort to assist with the adoption of new technologies.
Nick Peters
Nick Peters, VP - IT
Campbell Oil Company
I am an IT professional with over 20 years experience in the convenience retail field. Starting off my career in operations, I then converted over to the IT side of the industry over 15 years ago.
As a strong believer in technology, I have always been forward-thinking as it comes to the application and practicality of new capabilities. I’m also a supporter of industry collaboration and standardization in an effort to assist with the adoption of new technologies.
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.
JP Patel
JP Patel. CEO
Hari 1 dba Fish River Food Mart
In 2000, the year of clunky Nokia phones and $1.50 gas, a guileless 18-year-old Jigar “JP” Patel left the comforts of his home in India to make a name for himself in America. Even at that young age, it was clear to those around him that JP had that certain spark that drew people to him.
He soon earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer Sciences from the University of South Alabama. While in school, he worked a number of odd jobs until he discovered he had a knack for innovative ideas that increased volume and profits for his bosses in their respective stores. He joined the family business of convenience stores and worked from the ground up. With his combined business acumen and tendency to devote himself in his work, he wasn’t cleaning restrooms and manning the register for long!
Fast-forward to 2015, JP is now the co-founder and VP of SAASOA (Strategic Alliance of Affiliated Store Owners of America), the largest such association in the entire Southeast. In the last 7 years, SAASOA has successfully represented approximately 4500 stores owners. JP continues to be instrumental in increasing bottom line profits, partnering with other organizations to increase merchandise and volume and expanding SAASOA’s reach across the Southeast.
JP is also a recognized public speaker and specializes in leadership training and coaching and has successfully served a range of clients including corporate professionals, small business owners, and non-profit and for-profit organizations.
His drive to increase representation among minorities in the convenience store industry led to his association with NACS (National Association of Convenience Stores).
At NACS, JP is a member of Board of Directors and also a part of Member Services Committee, Political Engagement Committee and Legislative Committee.
His magic touch is not limited to the business world. He mentors under represented teenagers and young adults in choosing the path best suited for them. He is a recognized advocate of service and mental health initiatives through The Art of Living. He is a unifying member of the community, bringing together people from all religions, ethnicities, ages and genders to participate in personal health workshops.
As seen through his business drive and his giving nature, JP is truly one of the rare individuals who is sincerely passionate about helping and bringing people together from all walks of life.
Greg Parker
Greg Parker, Executive Chairman
Parker’s
Greg Parker, the founder and CEO of Parker’s and Parker’s Kitchen, opened his first convenience store in Midway, Ga. in 1976. Today, he leads a nationally acclaimed company that was named the 2020 Convenience Store Chain of the Year and is widely known for high-quality foodservice, the cleanest stores in the industry and cutting-edge technology. Inducted into the Convenience Store Hall of Fame, Parker has been recognized as the Foodservice Leader of the Year, Tech Executive of the Year, Citizen of the Year, Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce and Savannah Morning News Entrepreneur of the Year and Georgia Trend Legacy Leader.
A steadfast advocate of giving back to the community, Parker has donated more than $30 million to charitable causes across coastal Georgia and South Carolina and received the 2022 Georgia Southern University Parker College of Business Corporate Partner Award. Parker is a longtime member of the Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO) and is active in the Petroleum Marketers Study Group. He previously served as the Vice Chairman of Research for the National Association of Convenience Stores, Chairman of the BPAmoco Marketers Association and a member of the Pepsi Retail Advisory Council as well as the Coca-Cola Retail Advisory Committee.
Parker currently serves on the Savannah Economic Development Authority (SEDA) board and previously chaired the Mayor’s Business Roundtable and the Keep Savannah Clean anti-litter campaign. He is the proud father of Olivia, Bennett and Lily Parker.
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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).