Our Consultants
The principal b2b Solutions consulting partners include:
Steven Montgomery: President
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Avry Davidovich, Ph.D.: Consulting Partner
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Dean Dirks: Consulting Partner
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Michael E. Gantt: Consulting Partner
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Eric Hammer, Consulting Partner
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Doug Hecker: Consulting Partner
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Deborah Holand: Consulting Partner
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Greg Jones: Consulting Partner
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Lou Maiellano: Consulting Partner
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Marsha Mathis: Consulting Partner
She has marketed and sold products across a wide range of software technologies, including point-of-sale systems, enterprise accounting and management reporting systems, business analytics, B2B commerce, broadband satellite communications, and professional services and support. Marsha possesses deep operational experience in both software license and Software as a Service (SaaS) delivery models. Marsha has developed sales infrastructures to successfully support and mobilize sales teams in channel, direct, and internet sales, including the development of sales agreements and compensation plans. In creating sales processes and procedures, she has developed tools for return on investment analysis, webinar content, sales presentations, and sales tools for effective and consistent branding and product communications.
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Steven O'Toole: Consulting PartnerSteve has over 20 years of experience in managing all aspects of IT strategy and delivery, with an emphasis in retail systems. He is extremely knowledgeable in c-store/petroleum systems and business processes, including in-depth supplier knowledge and hands-on experience with most of the major industry applications. Steve is well-versed in numerous project management methodologies with experience managing all phases of the systems development life cycle. His positions with in the industry include Business Information Manager and Global Site Systems Program Manager at BP, Business Systems Manager and Back Office Team Lead for Amoco Corporation, and Retail Systems Manager for Clark Retail Enterprises. C-store consulting assignments include Point-of-Sale and Card Payment Strategy Consultant for ConocoPhillips and Project Manager for PetroSun Fuel.
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Robert O'Rear: Consulting Partner
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Mick Parker: Consulting Partner
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Patrick Raycroft: Consulting Partner
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Bill Ritter: Consulting Partner
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Brian Sibila: Consulting Partner
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Al Smith: Consulting Partner
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Alfred J. Trotta: Consulting Partner
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Frank Wirth: Consulting Partner
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Arnold Van Zanten: Consulting Partner
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Steve has over 35 years of experience that spans top management positions in both entrepreneurial and large corporate business environments. He has served as President and Member of the Board of Directors for Dairy Mart Corporation, and as General Manager for Convenience Stores and Manager of Convenience Retail Strategies and Programs for Amoco Oil Company. Steve is a past member of the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) Retailer Board of Directors and its Supplier Board. He is currently a member of its Manpower Committee. Steve is a regular contributor to articles on the convenience retail / petroleum marketing channel and is a frequent speaker at industry functions. He has worked with NACS as a Program Director and Program Moderator on topics ranging from Foodservice to Non-Traditional Competitors. Steve is a member of RetailWire's BrainTrust, the Convenience Store Education Council, International Business Advisory Board of Western New England College and the Convenience Retailing University Advisory Council.
Avry has 30 years experience in the convenience retailing / petroleum marketing industry. As a retailer, he has held positions ranging from store manager through the president and C.E.O. In addition to his extensive retail experience, he led NRC Financial Advisers M&A practice. In this area, Avry performed evaluations of over 5,200 retail locations including over 20 chains ranging in size from 20 sites to some of the largest chains in the industry with over a dozen chains of 100 locations or more. Avry started his career with Marathon Oil and fulfilled a variety of management positions including Special Assistant to the President. In 1992, he founded Davidovich Oil Company, which he subsequently sold to F.F.P. Partners, a publicly traded company with over 400 stores. He joined that organization as Executive Vice President and served as a member of its board of directors. Avry then founded Vista Stores in Dallas, Texas where he held the titles of President and C.E.O. Vista grew to 120 convenience stores operated in five states under his leadership. He has developed a keen understanding of operations, and acquisitions and mergers of convenience stores and petroleum marketing companies.
Dean has had a long career in foodservice and c-stores that began in his father's grocery stores at age eight (8). He worked his way through college at Safeway. After graduating from Washington State University in 1983, Dean accepted a position in retail foodservice with Marriott. In this role, he supervised branded concepts including Starbucks, Dominoes Pizza, Godfather's and Little Caesars as well as proprietary food service. In 1996, Dean joined West Star as V.P. of Operations. His responsibilities included supervising thirty Shell branded convenience stores and 20 restaurants including Subway, Taco Bell, A&W, Winchell's Donuts, Seattle Best Coffee and a number of proprietary foodservice concepts. After WestStar was sold Dean accepted a position with Balmar Petroleum as the Senior Category Manager, overseeing all categories, including foodservice. In 2006, Dean formed Dirks & Associates focusing on convenience store foodservice. Dean has worked with Arby's, Church's Chicken, Qdoba's as well as many proprietary foodservice concepts.
Mike is a senior human resources executive with over 35 years of comprehensive generalist experience for three supermarket companies; Smitty's Super Valu in Phoenix, Gooding's Supermarkets in Orlando and Bashas' in Phoenix progressing over the years from personnel director to VPHR and finally to SVP - HR. His primary responsibilities have included employment, training and management development, labor, employee, government and community relations, benefits design and administration, strategic and tactical planning, policy development, internal and external communications and more serving from as few as 2,000 employees to as many as 14,000 spread over several states. He is an accomplished public speaker and has presented numerous workshops, general sessions and seminars at various national industry functions, especially those affiliated with the Western Association of Food Chains (WAFC) and the Washington-based Food Marketing Institute (FMI). He is a member of the Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM), the American Society for Training and Development (ASTD), FMI's Human Resources and Training Advisory Committee as well as the planning committee for their new bi-annual management conference (FutureConnect) scheduled to debut in Dallas in 2009 and he is currently a guest faculty member for Portland State University's TMTL Food Management Program at Skamania in Stevenson, Washington.
Eric has over 23 years of varied experience in the c-store / petroleum industry that ranges from environmental to installation/maintenance and retail operations to product procurement. As an energy procurement consultant, he has set procurement strategies based on clients’ risk profile, introduced customers to biofuel blending, shipped product on pipelines, provided analysis for fleet loyalty programs and created emergency action plans for natural disasters. As Topco Associates’ Director of Fuel Programs Eric focused on creating positive P&L impact by implementing procurement strategies, aggregating purchases, shipping and blending of fuel products. As Manager, Division Fuel Operations for the Dominick’s (a division of Safeway) Eric worked with the real estate, construction, HR and IT groups to build a retail fuel department and created Grand Opening/marketing programs to help ensure customer loyalty at the fueling stop as well as the main store location. In addition, Eric has managed projects for Point of Sale installation and training, back office software, construction supply for complete sites, environmental testing and training programs.
Doug has over 27 years experience including top management positions within the convenience store industry and entrepreneurial enterprises. As the owner of BAN Marketing he established a successful enterprise providing consultation and management services to food service and equipment leasing clients. As Vice President of Marketing at Circle K Stores, he directed corporate and field marketing functions for over 2,000 convenience stores. Doug was a key management stakeholder in introducing store level scanning and fact based category management, which resulted in lower store inventories due to SKU rationalization, better in stock on top selling items, and instant sales feedback on newly placed and promotional items. As Arizona Region Vice President he oversaw the daily operation of 500 Arizona and Nevada Circle K stores with responsibility for profit and loss, including expense management and sales and gross profit budgets, store operations, field marketing, human resources, and loss prevention. He spearheaded the opening of the Arizona Region Circle K Distribution Center, which provided a regional distribution solution. At 7-Eleven Stores, Doug held the positions of Field Representative, Sales Manager, District Manager, and Sales and Promotions Manager where he oversaw the execution of operations and developed marketing communications for over 200 franchised stores. 
Deborah has over 20 years food industry experience, with specialized expertise in new concept development and turn-around/revitalization situations. She has served in a number of key positions in the foodservice industry, including Steak And Ale Restaurant Concept Management for the Metro Media Group; The New Concept Development Team Eatzi's while at Brinker International; National Director Of Food-Service Operations for Whole Foods Market, Inc.; Director Of Meal Solutions Departments for The Tops Markets Division of Ahold USA Inc.; and President and Founder of Food Sense. Deborah has diverse experience concentrated in business growth strategies, project planning and analysis, menu engineering, labor optimization, cost management, high-impact marketing and visual merchandising. She possesses regional and national experience across all major markets from premier restaurant and specialty gourmet retailers to conventional supermarkets and convenience stores.
Greg has over 40 years of c-store management experience with specialized expertise in developing "Best Practice Process" for all facets of convenience retailing. As President of Retail for Kellam Distributing, he led the growth of a retail start up that resulted in the Shore Stop/Auto Plus chain. He has had profit and loss responsibility at several levels of multi-unit operations including Vice President of Operations at Mini Mart, Inc and Zone Manager for 7-Eleven. His marketing leadership has included Vice President of Merchandising for the 2,500 store Circle K chain, with additional assignments as Director of Business Development and Director of Advertising. At Circle K, in his role as Vice President of Strategic Marketing, he worked closely with Accenture in developing process integration for decision support and category management software. In addition, he was responsible for supply chain management and new concepts, including the development work for self distribution. While Vice President of Marketing at SSP Circle K, his brand experience included the creation of the Stripes Convenience Store brand and the development of The Laredo Taco Company foodservice brand. As a recognized process expert, Greg is a faculty member at CSP's Convenience Retailing University.
Lou Maiellano has 25 years experience and is a broadly experienced marketing/sales manager with significant credentials in the convenience store and tobacco business. Most recently he was National Category Manager for Sunoco Inc. where he created and managed strategy and profitability for the $395 million tobacco category. Lou has also held operational positions at Sunoco, Mobil, Macaroni Grill and Wawa. He directed the management of staffing, training, sales and marketing programs, financial management and both corporate and vendor relationships. Lou has operated many successful food related programs including Burger King, McDonalds, Taco Bell, Vie DeFrance, Parlor Pizza, Country Chicken, City Deli and Gulliver's Coffee. He has been recognized a Convenience Store Industry Leader for Program by CSP Magazine. He is an active "Convenience Retailer Conference Advisory Council" member and Chairs the Tobacco Subcommittee.
Marsha has over 30 years experience as a senior-level executive in sales, marketing, and product development for B2B companies ranging from startups to Fortune 100 companies. She has a strong background and expertise in software product marketing, product management, and sales in the retail technology industry. She has served on the National Association of Convenience Stores' Supplier Committee, the Network of Executive Women and the Women's Global Network.
Patrick has 22 years of IT experience in the manufacturing and convenience retail / petroleum marketing industries. He has extensive experience as part of senior management teams at BP and Amoco. He directed the development and implementation of IT consolidation and integration efforts required to support two successive multi-billion dollar mergers. He managed the design and implementation of Amoco's retail systems including their site networking and card processing platforms. Patrick has also led retail site architecture work, technical due diligence activities for e-business investment opportunities, developed vendor strategies for connecting retail sites globally and executed RFP processes for large network procurement and hosting deals. Currently, he is a managing partner of the W. Capra Consulting Group, focusing on retail technology. Patrick holds a Bachelor of Science degree, Mathematics / Computer Science from Purdue University and a Master of Science Degree, Operations Research from DePaul University.
Bill Ritter is a native of Toledo, Ohio where after graduating from high school he served in the United States Air Force. After receiving an honorable discharge in 1972 Bill returned to Toledo and attended the University of Toledo majoring in Criminal Justice. In 1974, Bill attended Gormac Polygraph School, Pasadena, California and after graduation began Ritter & Associates. Bill's career has been devoted exclusively to retail loss prevention and specific loss investigations for the convenience store industry. During his 27-year career he has conducted in excess of 8,000 investigations and interviewed over 40,000 employees for various convenience store companies. These investigations and interviews have led to successful prosecutions and well over $4,000,000 in restitution. Bill is a nationally recognized speaker and work shop leader, specializing in the area of convenience store loss prevention and consults with companies, both large and small, regarding all areas of loss prevention.
Brian has several years of experience in the financial analysis of businesses in the convenience retailing and petroleum marketing industry from both an operational and valuation standpoint. Formerly a Manager of Business Development with NRC Realty and Capital Advisors, he has been involved with sales of over 1,500 convenience stores and gas stations representing clients ranging from major oil companies like Sunoco and BP to regional distributors. Brian has participated in the valuation of businesses over $2B. He is a graduate of the University of Michigan and holds a Real Estate Broker's License in Illinois.
Al Smith has over 35 years of experience in both the petroleum industry specializing in marketing, operations, acquisitions, mergers, consolidations and divestments. He served as Chief Operating Officer for Getty Petroleum. In that position he was responsible for over 2,000 retail locations as well as the product supply to meet their 70,000 barrels a day requirements. His other duties included oversight for Getty's wholesale marketing, terminals, transportation, fleet fueling, engineering, construction, maintenance, environmental, real estate and retail home heating. Al's pro-active, hands on, results oriented approach has shown demonstrated results in cost effective solutions.
Al has an in-depth knowledge of the convenience store industry gained through 35 years of experience in various senior management roles for Cumberland Farms Convenience Stores. In his most recent position as the Division Manager for the 136 locations in the Northeast and New York Markets, his responsibilities included; managing the daily operations, maximizing return on investment, profit and loss, increasing sales, reducing inventory losses, workforce planning and short and long term goal setting for his division. He previously held the position of Corporate Marketing Manager where he was the driving force behind developing several successful marketing programs. Specific duties included not only included the day-to- day operations of the Marketing Department but the overseeing of the buying for the distribution center, negotiating vendor contracts and developing affective Marketing communication techniques. Two of his major accomplishments in developing consistent merchandising programs were to establish a Point-of-Sales Department and a Merchandising Division.
Marketing and communications leader with over twenty-five years of broad based integrated marketing communications experience in retail, packaged goods and food manufacturing. Frank has served as General Manager of the Hospital Products Division at Schering Plough and Group Product Manager for OTC products where he launched several new patented products. In addition he held several positions with 7-Eleven including Promotions Manager, Marketing Director New Products Electronic Services and Group Product Manager Core Products. Frank also held two positions with Amoco Oil the later being General Manager Convenience Retail Strategies Planning and Programs before leaving to join Roundtree Capital as Chief Marketing Officer. Frank has extensive experience in developing effective long term strategic plans and operational plans for major packaged goods companies and retail organizations. He teaches advertising and promotion courses at Loyola University in Chicago.
Former NCS, Coastal Mart senior management and Andersen consulting manager. Experienced consultant in technology systems, business transformations and process reengineering. Recent projects include designing and installing technology systems to manage convenience stores, conducting workshops where truck stop operators prepare their business plan, developing marketing plans and presentations for a company bringing a new product to market and consulting with a technology manufacturer in transforming the ir culture from an engineering base to a more customer needs base.