Jonathan Tang
Jonathan Tang, President
Tang Mart, LLC
Jonathan Tang is the owner and operator of Tang Mart. Tang Mart founded in 2013, operates 5 stores in Northeast Alabama. Jonathan also works with Ira Phillips, Inc a small fuel distributor/wholesaler founded in 1938 that serves customers in the commercial, agricultural and cardlock space.
Jonathan is married to his lovely wife Kate since 2007 and has one teenage son Xavier. He enjoys coaching soccer, grilling on the Big Green Egg, Craft Beer (Possibly while Grilling) and watching Auburn / Atlanta Sports Teams.
Jared Scheeler
Jared Scheeler, CEO
The Hub Convenience Stores, Inc
Jared Scheeler is the CEO of Dickinson, ND based The Hub Convenience Stores. The Hub consists of five locations in the energy-rich Bakken Oil Region of western North Dakota. Established in 2015, The Hub is a future-focused retailer with an emphasis on foodservice and technology. Boasting large store footprints and a unique branding package, The Hub is poised for accelerated growth.
Scheeler was born and raised in Dickinson, ND. Upon graduating high school he attended the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. While attending college, he took a part-time job at Bobby & Steve's Auto World's flagship convenience supercenter in downtown Minneapolis and fell in love with convenience retailing. Jared worked for Bobby & Steve's for fifteen years before he and his family moved back home to start The Hub.
Jared and his wife, DeAnn, are in an active stage of their lives as their four children (Abby, Annabel, Jack, and Molly) are working their way through the busy years of their schooling. DeAnn serves as the Director of Mission Advancement for Trinity Catholic Schools in Dickinson, while Jared moonlights as the head coach of the girls basketball team at Trinity High School.
Scott Sawant
Scott Sawant, V.P. of Convenience Retail
HRA Group
VP of Convenience Retail, Horizon Group
Scott Sawant is a seasoned convenience retail executive known for building powerful vendor partnerships, accelerating sales growth, and leading high performing teams across the Southeast. As VP of Convenience Retail at Horizon Group—part of the Horizon Retailers Association supporting thousands of independent and multi unit convenience stores across the region—Scott plays a central role in driving value for retailers through strong supplier alignment, operational execution, and strategic program development. [hraga.com]
With deep expertise in vendor relationships, contract negotiation, logistics, distribution management, and P&L analysis, Scott has a proven track record of turning category insights into actionable growth strategies. He leads large, cross functional Foodservice and Grocery teams, overseeing everything from merchandising and marketing initiatives to full scale retail program execution.
Scott excels in client management, serving as the primary point of contact for key partners, strengthening long term relationships, addressing operational needs, and delivering solutions that increase in store sales performance. His ability to identify revenue opportunities, pitch new products and services, negotiate agreements, and shift market share from competitors has made him a trusted leader among both retailers and major CPG partners.
A strong driver of new business development, Scott consistently prospects, networks, and engages new customers—leveraging tradeshows, industry events, and direct outreach to generate high value leads. He coordinates complex projects with internal teams, provides actionable reporting on market trends and sales performance, and ensures flawless execution of client programs from concept to rollout.
Scott’s hands on leadership extends to team development, where he trains and supports new sales professionals while fostering a culture of accountability and customer first service. His disciplined approach to operational reporting—including GAP and backorder management—ensures stores receive the right products at the right time, helping retailers optimize assortment and maintain strong inventory health.
Driven, strategic, and relentlessly relationship focused, Scott continues to advance HRA Group’s mission of empowering convenience retailers through innovative solutions, stronger vendor connections, and meaningful marketplace support,
Tom Rebain
Tom Rebain, VP - Strategy and Business Operations
Verifone
Reformed Finance and Accounting Executive of 25 years now leading Strategy and Operations for our Commander Payments growth initiative serving the Unbranded Fuel and Convenience Market.
Ryan Razowsky
Ryan Razowsky, President
Rmarts LLC
VP of Convenience Retail, Horizon Group
Ryan is President of Rmarts LLC, a company that specializes in operating fuel and convenience stores throughout the Chicagoland area. As a third-generation owner/operator, he has focused his attention on efficient day-to-day operations, forward-thinking leadership and the acquisition of new business. Ryan has thirteen years of experience in the field of successful property and personnel management for a portfolio of Shell, Mobil and Citgo branded locations. Ryan spearheaded the acquisition of 10 high-volume fuel and convenience stores from World Fuels Services in 2017. Ryan graduated from the University of Kansas in 2008 with a degree in Economics. He is an active member in the YPO Chicagoland chapter and is on the executive committee of the Ravinia Festival Associates Board.
Lonnie McQuirter
Lonnie McQuirter, Director of Operations
36 Lyn Refuel Station
Lonnie McQuirter is the owner and operator of 36 Lyn Refuel Station, a small independent convenience and fuel retailer in South Minneapolis. Lonnie didn't inherit a playbook, he wrote one, turning a generic branded gas station into one of the most recognized independent retailers in the country. Lonnie has never waited for the industry to tell him what's next, from installing one of Minneapolis's first EV fast charging stations to running the store entirely on renewable energy since 2015.
36 Lyn is a three-time Inc. 5000 honoree and an NRF America's Retail Champion. The store carries a wide variety of locally sourced and better-for-you items, a deliberate commitment, not a marketing angle. McQuirter has been featured in *Kiplinger* and named to the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal's Fast 50.
Lonnie's industry involvement runs deep, from the store level all the way to national policy. He serves on both the NACS Board of Directors and the Conexxus Board of Directors and holds the Vice Chairman role on NACS's Legislative Committee. He's recognized as a go-to voice for legislative advocacy representing the convenience channel. He chaired the Minnesota Retailers Association in 2018.
What Lonnie brings to SOVG is the perspective of an operator who has had to solve every problem himself: technology, energy, hiring, community relations, vendor negotiations, all of it without the safety net of a larger chain. His view is simple: small operators can't afford to be complacent, and the challenges facing independent c-stores are as much political and regulatory as they are operational.
Steve McKinley
Steve McKinley, CEO/Founder
Urban Value Corner Store
Steve McKinley is the CEO and Founder of Urban Value Corner Store (UVCS), a Dallas-based company redefining how convenience retail integrates into residential communities. Since launching UVCS, Steve has led the development of a new amenity category—bringing full-service corner stores and autonomous SMART Store Coolers directly into multifamily and single-family environments to enhance the resident experience. With a clear focus on the belief that “Convenience Is the Amenity®,” Steve has guided UVCS through steady growth, building a portfolio of innovative retail solutions that serve both developers and residents. His approach combines operational discipline, curated product assortments, and technology-driven insights to create a daily-use amenity that drives occupancy, retention, and overall community value. A recognized voice in the convenience and multifamily industries, Steve has spoken at national conferences, including the NACS Show, where he emphasized the role of purpose-driven culture in operational performance. Under his leadership, UVCS was named a 2025 Outstanding Independents Award winner by Convenience Store News. Steve continues to lead UVCS with a forward-looking vision—building scalable retail platforms that meet the evolving expectations of modern communities while delivering measurable impact for property owners and residents alike.
Dennis McCartney
Dennis McCartney, Director of Operations
Landhope Farms
Dennis McCartney is a seasoned operations, marketing, and community relations professional with more than two decades of leadership experience in retail convenience, foodservice, and organizational development. He currently serves as Director of Operations for Landhope Farms, where he oversees multi-location operations, strategic initiatives, employee development, branding, and customer experience across one of Southern Chester County’s most recognizable independent convenience retailers. His background combines hands-on operational leadership with a strong passion for creative marketing, team culture, and community engagement.
Throughout his career, Dennis has built a reputation for driving innovation while maintaining a strong focus on customer service and operational excellence. He has led numerous successful marketing campaigns, foodservice initiatives, and business growth strategies, while also mentoring management teams and fostering workplace cultures centered on accountability, positivity, and continuous improvement.
Dennis began his career at a small Sunoco Mini Market in Berea, Ohio as a third shift cashier. Through perseverance and continuing education, he worked this way through store management, district management, regional merchandising management and finally into the corporate marketing department at Sunoco Aplus as the Category Manager for retail and prepared foods. He has now been the Director of Operations at Landhope Farms for nearly 14 years, where he is a change agent, rainmaker and firefighter (not literally).
Dennis wears many hats in the organization and likes it that way. Overseeing the finance department and project manager, Dennis also solely manages the marketing, procurement, category management, vendor relationship management and overall stewardship of the brand. Dennis finds great enjoyment in the autonomy given him by ownership to make Landhope Farms the best it can be. That effort, and that of his team, recently earned Landhope Farms the title of Grand Prize Winner in the 2026 Outstanding Independent Operators Award from Convenience Store News.
In addition to his corporate leadership role, Dennis serves as President of the Oxford Area Chamber of Commerce, where he advocates for local businesses and community collaboration throughout the region. Under his leadership, the Chamber has expanded member engagement and launched successful community-focused events, including the Oxford Harvest Festival, which quickly became a signature regional attraction.
Dennis is especially passionate about building strong community partnerships and supporting local nonprofit organizations. He has helped spearhead charitable initiatives involving food insecurity relief, local fundraising campaigns, and business-community collaboration efforts. Known for his high-energy leadership style, creativity, and relationship-building abilities, Dennis is committed to creating positive experiences for customers, employees, businesses, and the broader community alike.
Michael Lipton
Michael Lipton, CEO
Lipton Inc.
Michael Lipton graduated from Boston University in 1996 & moved back to Pittsfield, MA in 1998 to work in his family business. He is now CEO of Lipton Inc & has taken over as the 4th generation. Lipton Inc owns & operates 10 convenience & gas stations, 2 car washes, a propane rail terminal, & an oil/propane business delivering to homes/businesses. Lipton Inc was started my Michael's great grandfather in 1910.
Christian King
Christian King, President - Owner
KNC Holdings, Inc.
Christian P. King is a New York–based business owner, real estate investor, and executive, best known as the President and CEO of KNC Holdings, Inc., headquartered in Albany, New York.
With a career spanning more than three decades, King has played a central role in building KNC Holdings into a diversified holding and operating company with interests in retail, real estate, and automotive services. Under his leadership, the company has developed and operates a network of convenience retail locations and service businesses across New York’s Capital Region, including partnerships with major national brands such as Mobil, Subway, Dunkin’, and Pizza Hut. The company also owns and operates its proprietary Clean2o Touch-Free Car Wash brand and maintains a wholesale distribution operation focused on car wash products and related supplies.
In addition to his corporate leadership, King has been actively involved in real estate investment, with a portfolio focused primarily on commercial and industrial properties throughout the Albany–Schenectady–Troy region. Public records indicate long-standing activity in property acquisition, development, and financing, often through affiliated entities.
King’s business footprint extends across multiple corporations and ventures, many headquartered at KNC’s Albany offices, reflecting a vertically integrated approach to operations, real estate, and retail services.
Known for his entrepreneurial approach and regional focus, Christian P. King has established a strong presence in the Capital Region’s retail and service economy, combining operational management with strategic investment to drive long-term growth.