CGA Strategic Conference

Every year, hundreds of professionals representing the broad spectrum of California’s grocery industry convene for three days in Palm Springs to collaborate, network and develop new approaches to their businesses. CGA combines the Strategic Conference’s foundational elements with an exciting line-up of speakers that challenges you to think differently and anticipate the changing trends and new directions of the industry. Add in constant opportunities to connect with your most important partners all in one location at one time and you have the gold standard of industry conferences.

About The Conference

The CGA Strategic Conference is proud to offer an event that is not time spent AWAY from business, but rather time INVESTED IN your business.

Ultimately, nothing speaks to the enduring success of the CGA Strategic Conference like the praise of our participants, who affirm that this annual gathering is an ever-renewing source of challenging ideas, perceptive advice, and solid connections to implement and build on in the year ahead.

2018 CGA Strategic Conference Planning Committee

Bob Parriott (CGA Board Chair)
Owner
Twain Harte Market

Renee Amen
Controller
Super A Foods

Kevin Arceneaux
Regional VP, West Area Sales
Mondelez International, Inc.

David Bell
CMO
Houwelling’s Group

Mike Bowers
Sr. Dir., Asset Protection
Northgate Gonzalez Markets

Vic Chiono
VP Sales, West USA
Coca-Cola North America

Brent Cotten
VP Sales, West USA
Coca-Cola North America

Steve Dietz
Sr.VP, Sales – Pacific Region
United Natural Foods, Inc.

Jen Fulton
Sr. Dir., Retail Sales
PepsiCo

Dave Jones
VP, Industry Initiatives
Kellogg Company

Kevin Konkel
COO
Raley’s

Phil Miller
VP West Region
C & S Wholesale Grocers

Mark Olejnik
Sales Manager
C&H Sugar Company/ASR Group

Veronica Rendon
Dir., Field Marketing
Alta Dena Certified Dairy, LLC

Craig Rosenblum
Sr. Director
Willard Bishop an Inmar Analytics Company

Joe Toscano
Dir. Business Development
Nestle Purina

Rob Twyman
Regional President
Whole Foods

Jim Wallace
VP General Manager, Pavilions
Albertsons, Vons, Pavilions

 

Kendra Doyel(Committee Chair)
VP, Community Affairs & Government Relations
Ralphs Grocery Company

Teresa Anaya
Dir., Sales Promotions & Demonstrations
Northgate Gonzalez Markets

Dennis Belcastro
VP, Industry Affairs & Customer Development
Kimberly-Clark Corporation

Leon Bergmann
President, West
SUPERVALU.

Bob Bukovec
Dir., Grocery Sales
Tyson Foods, Inc.

Greg Corrigan
Sr. Dir., Produce & Floral
Raley’s

Willie Crocker
Dir. Retail Customers South
Bimbo Bakeries, USA

Jake Fermanian
Vice President
Super King Markets

David Higginbotham
Regional VP, Retail
Stater Bros Markets

Paul Kamholz
VP, Sales & Marketing
Baswood Corporation

Tracy Lape
Dir. Sales
Pete and Gerry’s Organics, LLC

Hee-Sook Nelson
VP, Employee Development & Marketing
Gelson’s Markets

Nicole Pesco
Chief Executive Officer
Save Mart Supermarkets

Mike Rideour
Head, Industry Relations & Sales Operations
Kraft Heinz Company

Dennis Spiller
VP, National Sales
Jelly Belly Candy Co.

Juan Trillas
Account Executive – Retail Customers 
Bimbo Bakeries US

Jim Van Gorkom
SVP, Sales & Marketing
NuCal Foods

Richard Wardwell
Exec. SVP, Operations
Superior Grocers

Great Conference. Very productive and efficient format. Kudos to the CGA staff for the work they put into this annual event. We appreciate it very much.”

Chris Linskey

VP, Marketing & Merchandising | Super King Markets