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.
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.
Kris Klinger
Kris Klinger, VP Auxiliary Services
Boston University
Kristian Klinger, Vice President, Auxiliary Services began his tenure at Boston University in October 2022. Kristian has more than 30 years of experience in hospitality and auxiliary services. He spent the previous two plus years as Senior Associate Vice President of Auxiliary Services at Syracuse University. In this role, he oversaw operations in Food Services; Housing, Meal Plan, and I.D. Card Services; Parking and Transportation Services; Drumlins Country Club; Minnowbrook Conference Center; the Sheraton Syracuse University Hotel and Conference Center; the Lubin House; the Syracuse University Campus Store and Trademark Licensing.
Prior to joining Syracuse University, Kristian spent 11 years as Assistant Vice President within the University of Southern California’s (USC) Auxiliary Services department. While at USC Kristian also taught an introduction to foodservice class that was part of a Master’s in Dietetics program through the USC Davis School of Gerontology. Kristian earned his EdD at the USC Rossier School of Education, his MBA at the USC Marshall School of Business and holds a bachelor’s degree in German and International Relations from the same university. Kristian is a veteran of the United States Marine Corps where he proudly served our country as an air traffic controller.
As Vice President for Auxiliary Services, Kristian and his team below have oversight and leadership responsibilities of Food Services and Convenience Stores, Housing, Parking and Transportation, Events & Conferences, Agganis Arena, Fitness & Recreation Center, Barnes & Noble @ BU, Vending Services and Trademark and Licensing. As Auxiliary Services touches nearly every aspect of University life, Kristian and his team collaborate with other campus and community leaders to advance a number of key initiatives in an effort to enhance the living and learning experience for the University’s diverse student population.
Gabe Klein
Gabe Klein, Former Executive Director
U.S. Joint Office of Energy & Transportation
Gabe Klein is a government official, urban planner, entrepreneur, and an investor specializing in sustainability and transportation.
Klein currently serves in the Biden Administration as the head of the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation. In this role, he has worked to enable the roll-out of a national electric vehicle charging network and electric school and transit busses in the U.S. Klein–who supports a $19 billion budget in this position–is the first-ever Executive Director of the Joint Office, also the first office in the federal government to span multiple agencies.
Previously, Klein co-founded Cityfi, a consultancy that works with local governments, foundations, and venture-backed startups. He was also the Commissioner of the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT), and the Director of the District of Columbia Department of Transportation (DDOT). Before those roles, Klein was an Executive with Boston-based Zipcar. He authored the book Start-Up City: Inspiring Private and Public Entrepreneurship, Getting Projects Done, and Having Fun.
Zsuzsa Hordai
Zsuzsa Hordai, Head of Strategic Projects
SPAR International
With over 10 years of experience in international market development, strategy, e-commerce and AI, I am currently leading international strategic projects across SPAR worldwide, a leading global food retail organization with over 13,500 stores in 48 countries. I also coordinate and manage our development plans in the GCC region. My mission is to drive growth and innovation through collaboration across SPAR's diverse and dynamic markets, leveraging data, AI-driven insights, best practices, and the power of our network.
As a former International Retail Development Manager at SPAR International, I successfully led the strategic business development and expansion in Europe and China, launching new markets, developing omni-channel capabilities, and leading the global e-commerce action group. My strong background in consumer goods, retail, data, and AI, combined with certifications in Lean Six Sigma, communication and finance, enables me to create value for customers, partners, and stakeholders through effective and engaging solutions.
In addition to my professional roles, I am passionate about mentoring and coaching emerging leaders within the industry. I have guided numerous professionals in their career development, helping them to achieve their goals and excel in their roles. I am particularly committed to female empowerment and leadership, actively supporting initiatives that promote gender equality and the advancement of women in business.
My commitment to leadership extends to my engagement with industry bodies such as NACS, CGF, and the AI Council, where we collaborate to drive key initiatives within the grocery retail industry for a more sustainable and technologically advanced future.
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).
