Presented by Scott Hartman
Rutter’s Farm Stores debuted in 1967 as an outlet for Rutter’s Dairy products. Today, Rutter’s Farm Stores has more than 50 stores in the state of Pennsylvania. In 2005, Rutter’s Holdings Inc. was formed as a parent company for the three operating companies: Rutter’s Dairy, Rutter’s Farm Stores and M&G Realty. For its contributions to central Pennsylvania’s business community – in the form of leadership, innovation and growth – Rutter’s Holdings was named the Central Penn Business Journal’s Business of the Year for 2005. Rutter’s Holdings also ranked fifth on the Central Penn Business Journal’s 2006 list of the Top 100 Privately Held Companies in central Pennsylvania.
Scott Hartman is president and CEO of Rutter's Farm Stores and chief financial officer for Rutter's Organization which operates 51 Convenience Stores, a dairy, and a real estate management company. Scott has an Accounting Degree from George Washington University, an MBA from Duke University and is a Certified Public Accountant. Scott is on the NACS Board of Directors and has been since 1998. In addition to Scott’s participation with NACS, he is very active with PCATS, The Petroleum and Convenience Alliance for Technology Standards, and in the Pennsylvania convenience store community.
Presented by Jim Bressi
The very first Kwik Trip store opened its doors in 1965. Kwik Trip, Inc. operates 350 Kwik Trip, Kwik Star, Hearty Platter® and Tobacco Outlet Plus stores throughout the states of Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa. Kwik Trip, Inc. is unique in the convenience store industry as it maintains total quality control over a wide variety of products by producing and packaging these items in their own facilities. In addition to a corporate support center, which handles the administrative needs of the stores and personnel, it operates Bakery, Commissary, Dairy, Distribution Warehouse and Vehicle Maintenance divisions.
Jim Bressi is currently the director of food research and development with Kwik Trip, Inc. based in La Crosse Wisconsin. Jim is a true "Food Guru". Starting at the age of 14, Jim worked in kitchens all across America. In 1985, Jim graduated from Johnson and Wales University in Providence, Rhode Island with an AOS Degree in Culinary Arts. After school, Jim left for Washington, DC where he began a 10 year career working in hotels and eventually migrated to Scottsdale, AZ where he worked at the exclusive Five Star/Five Diamond Fairmont Princess resort. Leaving the resort lifestyle behind, Jim entered into a second 10-year career as an educator. He eventually rose from the position of Chef Instructor to the position of Associate Dean, serving at two very prestigious Culinary Schools in the Northeast. With growing interests in new food technologies and trends, Jim left teaching and began a third career in the captivating world of Food Research and Development: first with LSG Sky Chefs, then with Compass Group in New York City. Jim has long maintained ownership interest in a boutique winery outside Washington, DC where he can be found every harvest year.
Presented by Mike Sherlock and Lynn Hochberg, Wawa, Inc.
Named after a local Native American tribe in honor of their favored game, the Canada Goose, Wawa has more than 16,000 associates and over 500 stores in five states. Wawa is famous for both its innovative use of in-store technology and its food development programs. Wawa offers a large fresh food selection, including Wawa brands in coffee, built to-order hoagies and other sandwiches, juices and teas, ready to-go salads, and produce.
Mike Sherlock is director of foodservice for Wawa, Inc. and is responsible for Wawa’s fresh food and fresh beverage offers. He oversees short and long-term strategies to build the Wawa foodservice brand, which is nearly a $1 billion business. Prior to Wawa, Mike held leadership positions in foodservice contract management with Sodexho and Restaurant Associates of New York. Mike has a MS and BS in Food Marketing from Saint Joseph’s University.
Lynn Hochberg has been with Wawa, Inc. for thirteen years and is currently the director of product development. She oversees the development of Wawa’s own brand items including packaged goods and foodservice products. Before assuming her current position, Lynn held roles in category management focusing on hot foods. She has also led special project teams developing new equipment, procedures, and product platforms. Prior to Wawa, Lynn worked as a buyer for Charming Shoppes, the parent company of Fashion Bug. She has a Bachelor’s Degree from The Pennsylvania State University.