NACS Leadership Forum

Jeff Burrell brings more than 25 years of retail industry experience, including executive leadership roles at BP and Circle K. His background spans a wide range of functions—sales, marketing, operations, fuels, and full P&L business management—giving him a comprehensive understanding of the retail landscape and the levers that drive performance.

Jeff currently leads Retail Engagement and Membership at NACS, where he also oversees Research and Education. In this role, he works closely with retailers of all sizes to strengthen industry connections, deliver actionable insights, and support the development of talent and strategy across the convenience retail community.

Matt Durand is Deputy General Counsel for the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS), where he advises the association on legislative, regulatory, and commercial matters. Before joining NACS, Matt was Vice President of Corporate Affairs for EG America, a national convenience retailer and restaurant operator. He previously held a variety of legal and policy roles at Cumberland Farms and Gulf Oil, and served as an aide with the U.S. Department of Justice. A proud Massachusetts native, Matt currently lives in Virginia with his wife and son.

John Eichberger is Executive Director of the Transportation Energy Institute. Founded by NACS in 2013, the Transportation Energy Institute is a non-profit that evaluates market issues related to vehicles and the energy that powers them. The Institute, led by a diverse Board of transportation experts, is an objective and collaborative research organization that does not advocate.

Previously, Eichberger served more than 14 years at NACS representing the convenience and fuel retailing industry before the media and federal government.

With more than 20 years of related experience, Eichberger is a recognized expert on the transportation energy market.

Annie St. Romain Gauthier is the 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 and 300+ other team members to refuel & refresh the Louisiana communities where they operate. After vowing never to work for her family's business, she worked for the Louisiana Oil Marketers & Convenience Store Association (LOMCSA) for 3 years and fell in love with the industry. She joined th family business in 2005. She has since served in various leadership roles with LOMCSA, culminating with President in 2017. She earned her Master of Convenience certification from NACS in 2021. She has served on the NACS Board of Directors since 2018, serving as Chair of the Board in 2025-26.

Annie earned her BA in British history at LSU, then discovered that law school was not for her. She took a sabbatical after her first semester and never returned

Annie is 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. She enjoys cooking, baking, reading, traveling and planning trips (especially to Britain, Ireland and France). Annie & high school sweetheart, Adam, live in their hometown of Mansura, LA, and are parents to 3 children: Samuel, Ellen and Henry.

Frank Gleeson became NACS president and CEO on January 1, 2026. He has deep experience in foodservice and convenience retailing. As president & CEO of Aramark Northern Europe from 2017–2024, he oversaw a team of over 20,000 employees across 2,800-plus locations in the United Kingdom, Ireland and EMEA (Europe, the Middle East and Africa), which served an estimated 1 million meals a day. Before Aramark, Gleeson was retail director at Topaz Energy Group and vice president retail of Statoil Ireland (now Equinor), where he led the development of the first American-style convenience store in Ireland. Most recently, he served as chairman of the National Oil Reserve Agency in Ireland.

Gleeson was on the NACS Board of Directors for 11 years, including his term as 2018-19 NACS Chairman. In addition, he was a board member and chairman of Retail Ireland, a board member and president of the Irish Business and Employers Confederation and a board member of the Irish Transport Authority.

Matt Havens is an international keynote speaker, former corporate leader, son of a comedian, and firm believer we overcomplicate work by overthinking the solutions. Matt’s high-energy, engaging presentations deliver insightful, actionable strategies – all with a surprisingly entertaining twist.

With 14 years of leadership experience in finance, sales, and customer service at a multi-billion dollar company, Matt gained invaluable in-the-trenches experience that informs his approach to solving business challenges and ensures his message relates with his audiences. Whether tackling change management or building dynamic team cultures, Matt has done it firsthand – including leading a massive strategic overhaul which transformed one of America’s most iconic brands.

Those experiences also taught Matt something was missing in the working world. As the son of a headlining comedian, Matt grew up in the back room of comedy clubs around the world, where he witnessed the infectious impact of laughter. He believes business growth and fun don’t have to be mutually exclusive – a philosophy which has made him a trusted partner for organizations like RE/MAX, Lockheed Martin, Baker Tilly, and Allstate, as well as countless government and industry associations from nearly every trade.

Matt doesn’t just speak about personal and professional growth – he lives it. He recently checked off a major bucket list item by completing an Ironman triathlon, cheered on by his wife and twin daughters. They currently reside in Dallas, TX.

Afif is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of SOCi, and has been at the forefront of technology for over 25 years. With a BS in Neuroscience and Genetics from UC San Diego, and a JD from Northwestern University School of Law, Afif has enjoyed a decorated career as a scientist, an attorney, a venture capitalist, and founder of two successful startups—including SOCi, which he has built to a 7-time Inc. 5000 Fastest Growing Company in America, and G2-ranked Top 5 Marketing Platform in the World. Afif is now passionate about changing our relationship with software, from a tool to a partner that can be trained to do the work for us. To that end, SOCi is now building the platform of the future, releasing its proprietary Genius AI™ and suite of Genius Agents™, providing a first-of-its-kind, AI-powered digital workforce capable of handling the workload of 1,000 local marketers™.

Jeff Mansfield serves as Vice President of Branded and National Wholesale Fuel Supply, Sales and Marketing at Global Partners LP, where he leads branded and unbranded fuel sales and supply, as well as national business development. He manages key relationships with Global Partners’ supply partners and customers, drives expansion into new markets, and identifies synergies across the company’s partner network.

Global Partners LP is a Fortune 500 master limited partnership that operates or maintains dedicated storage at 54 liquid energy terminals with strategic rail, pipeline, and marine connectivity, spanning from Maine to Florida and into the U.S. Gulf States. The company also owns, operates, and/or supplies approximately 1,700 retail locations across the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, and Texas.

Prior to joining Global Partners in 2009, Jeff was a power and natural gas trader at Vitol Gas and Electric LLC and Avista Energy. From 2000 to 2009, he served as Director of Portfolio Trading at International Power of America, where he managed a trading desk supporting more than 5,000 MW of natural gas- and coal-fired generation assets in Texas and New England.

Jeff has over 30 years of experience trading and managing energy commodity portfolios. He has served on SIGMA’s Board of Directors and was a member of SIGMA’s Legislative Committee.

Kevin O’Connell is the Executive Director of the NACS Foundation, the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) philanthropic arm. Under Kevin’s leadership, the Foundation is advancing its mission to unify and amplify the charitable efforts of the convenience and fuel retailing industry. It focuses on key pillars such as serving first responders, combating hunger, supporting healthy children and families, and fostering environmental stewardship.

Kevin spearheads transformative initiatives, including expanding 24/7 Day—a nationwide event honoring first responders that has grown by over 2,000% in five years—and the strategic development of programs to address food insecurity, educational scholarships, and community resilience. As the Foundation embarks on its next chapter, Kevin is focused on building sustainable revenue streams, fostering strategic partnerships, and elevating the Foundation’s impact on communities across America.

Kevin brings over 18 years of experience in nonprofit leadership, fundraising, and storytelling. Before joining NACS, he founded and served as a strategic advisor to FYN Creative, where he empowered universities and nonprofits through campaigns, digital content, and trainings. Before FYN Creative, he also launched The Niche Movement, a global platform helping thousands of students and young professionals redefine their career paths. Kevin also served as an adjunct professor at The George Washington University School of Business, where he taught courses in leadership and marketing.

An advocate for community engagement, Kevin actively volunteers with organizations such as Food & Friends in Washington, DC. He holds a B.S. in Marketing from Fairleigh Dickinson University and an M.A. in Leadership and Public Administration from Centenary University.

Kevin’s entrepreneurial spirit and passion for storytelling inspire his work in creating impactful programs, mobilizing resources, and redefining the role of convenience stores as community cornerstones. He is a sought-after speaker on nonprofit growth, community engagement, and innovative fundraising strategies.

With a pivotal role in launching IBM’s Watson in 2011, a groundbreaking application of Artificial Intelligence on a global scale, Sol Rashidi has consistently been a trailblazer in the ideation, conceptualization, design, and development of Data & AI applications. Boasting over three dozen large-scale implementations and a remarkable record, Sol holds eight granted patents, with 21 filed, and has garnered numerous prestigious awards, including being recognized as one of the “Top 100 AI People” in 2023.

Sol’s impact is evident in her presence on the “Global 100 Power List” for consecutive years (2021, 2022, 2023), recognition as one of the “Top 20 CDOs Globally” in 2022, and being named “Chief Analytics Officer of the Year” in 2022. Further, she earned the “Isomer Innovators of the Year” award for three consecutive years (2021, 2022, 2023) and has been acknowledged as one of the “Top 100 Innovators in Data & Analytics” from 2020 to 2023. Adding to her achievements, Sol was listed among the “Top 100 Women in Business” in 2022. Her other accolades include: “Top 75 Innovators of 2023,” “Top 65 Most Influential Women in 2023,” and earning the title of “Forbes AI Maverick of the 21st Century” in 2022. Additionally, she has been honored with the “Top 10 Global Women in AI & Data” award in 2023, the “Top AI 100 Award” in 2023, and inclusion in the “50 Most Powerful Women in Tech” in 2022.

Throughout her career, Sol has held significant C-Suite positions in Fortune 100 and Fortune 500 companies, including roles such as Chief Analytics Officer at Estee Lauder, Chief Data & Analytics Officer at Merck Pharmaceuticals, EVP and Chief Data Officer at Sony Music, Chief Data & AI Officer at Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, and Senior Partner leading the Digital & Innovation Practice at Ernst & Young. Her impactful tenure at IBM as Partner leading Watson Go-To-Market further solidifies her expertise in the field.

Now serving as an advisor, consultant, and fractional CDO & CAIO, Sol is dedicated to assisting companies in advancing their business objectives. As a global keynote speaker, she leverages her technical expertise and storytelling abilities to articulate the business value of data, AI, and technology. Her Amazon bestselling book, Your AI Survival Guide: Scraped Knees, Bruised Elbows, and Lessons Learned from Real-World AI Deployments, is made for business leaders without a technology background. Sol’s hallmark is simplifying the complex and helping leaders realize that innovation doesn’t always require cutting-edge solutions but often involves cutting through the noise.

Kristin K. Seabrook is the Chief Legal Counsel for Global Partners LP, where she leads a multifaceted team responsible for legal affairs, environmental, health and safety (EHS) and fuels compliance. Global Partners, a Fortune 500 master limited partnership, operates or maintains dedicated storage at 54 liquid energy terminals, with connectivity to strategic rail, pipeline, and marine assets, spanning from Maine to Florida and into the U.S. Gulf States. Additionally, Global Partners owns, operates, and/or supplies approximately 1,700 retail locations across the Northeast states, the Mid-Atlantic, and Texas. Prior to joining Global Partners, Kristin spent 18 years at Pilot Travel Centers LLC, serving as General Counsel/Chief Legal Counsel. She is a seasoned legal professional with experience in negotiating and drafting various types of agreements, overseeing corporate policies and procedures, and managing complex litigation matters. Kristin has also served as an Associate at Butler, Vines & Babb, and as a Deputy District Attorney at the Clark County, Nevada District Attorney’s Office. She holds a dual degree in Juris Doctor and Master of Business Administration from the University of Richmond and has been actively involved in various professional affiliations and community organizations.

With over three decades of experience in the consumer goods, B2B, and retail sectors, Constantino Spas has consistently demonstrated a remarkable ability to lead and transform businesses across diverse categories and geographical regions.

As the current CEO of FEMSA Proximity Americas & Mobility, he holds responsibility for overseeing operations and spearheading the accelerated growth of convenience stores and service stations throughout numerous markets across the Americas, serving millions of customers daily.

Prior to his current role, Constantino held pivotal executive positions, including CEO of FEMSA Strategic Businesses and CFO of Coca-Cola FEMSA. In these capacities, he played a crucial role in driving significant financial and operational performance enhancements. His extensive impact also extends to the food and beverage industry, where he held influential leadership roles at esteemed companies such as Grupo Mavesa, Empresas Polar in Venezuela, Kraft Foods, SAB Miller, and Bacardi, contributing significantly across the Latin American landscape.

Erin Stafford is a marketing guru, burnout survivor, hyper-growth business leader and social psychologist. From working with the world’s highest achievers throughout her 20+ year international career, being a Type A poster child herself and interviewing Olympians, start-up founders, Fortune 500 CEOs, leading researchers and celebrity coaches, Erin has seen firsthand how Type A personalities and constant over-achievement are coveted in the world of business, yet can lead to debilitating burnout.

After six years heading up marketing for the country’s largest healthcare staffing company where she led dozens of marketing professionals and helped the organization grow by 27x in six years, Erin has made it her mission to help leaders everywhere identify and break free from the Type A Trap so they can stay at peak performance for the long haul.

Casey Thomas is Head of North America Supply for Alimentation Couche-Tard, a global leader in convenience and mobility, and parent company of Circle K.

In this role, Casey oversees branded and unbranded fuel supply across the U.S. and Canada, driving strategy, planning, and operational execution for one of the largest fuel networks in North America. He leads a team focused on optimizing supply chain performance, ensuring reliable fuel sourcing, and supporting Couche-Tard’s broader mobility ambitions.

Casey brings more than two decades of experience in downstream fuels and transportation, with a career spanning strategy, business development, supply, and operations across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Prior to his current role, he held leadership positions within Couche-Tard in retail operations, fuel pricing, and wholesale. Before joining Couche-Tard, Casey spent ten years at BP, where he worked in downstream strategy, supply, and logistics, with postings in Chicago, Illinois, and Blaine, Washington.

Originally from Wisconsin, Casey holds a degree in Industrial Engineering from the University of Wisconsin–Madison and an MBA from the University of Texas at Austin.

He currently resides in Houston, Texas, with his wife and their two dogs.