When: Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Where: Villa Christina, 4000 Summit Boulevard, Atlanta, GA 30319
Networking: 5:30PM

Our event will explore how the convergence of mobile communications, cloud computing, retail technology and yes social media are helping drive a better shopping experience and better business value.  Retailers are looking to transform themselves to get a competitive edge by leveraging the power of data across all of these platforms to truly become customer centric.  Please join us as we ask some of the areas top thought leaders on these topics tell us what is and isn't working, and their thoughts on the future of retail technology.

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Moderator:

Todd Michaud, Founder & CEO
Power Thinking Media

Todd Michaud is the Founder & CEO of Power Thinking Media, a company dedicated to helping retailers and restaurants succeed in social media and mobile technologies.  Todd leverages his unique blend of marketing and technology expertise with his background in retail technology to help companies create and execute effective social marketing, loyalty and social CRM projects.  Todd is a regular columnist for StorefrontBacktalk.com, speaks at several industry and corporate events and serves on the board of the Social Executive Council.

Prior to founding Power Thinking Media, Todd was the Vice President of Information Technology for FOCUS Brands, the franchisor and operator of over 3,300 ice cream stores, bakeries, restaurants, and cafes under the brand names Carvel®, Cinnabon®, Schlotzsky’s®, Moe’s Southwest Grill®, Auntie Anne's Pretzels and Seattle’s Best Coffee®. With the ultimate goal of helping Franchise Partners improve their operations and marketing efforts through technology, Todd lead the IT service delivery for FOCUS Brands as a whole, as well as each brand’s retail technology system.

Prior to joining FOCUS Brands, Todd was Director of Retail Technology for Dunkin’ Brands where he supported the technology platform for over 7,000 U.S.-based Dunkin’ Donuts and Baskin Robbins locations. He also served as Director of Solutions Development at NaviSite, Inc., as well as Chief Information Officer at Channels/Conserv.

Panelists:

Will Alexander, VP of IS, Special Projects, and Logistics
RaceTrac Petroleum, Inc.

Will Alexander is the VP of IS, Special Projects, and Logistics at RaceTrac Petroleum, Inc. Will joined RaceTrac in 2004 as a Special Projects Manager. After leading a back office implementation for the stores, he joined the IS department as Director of Retail Systems. During his tenure in the IS department, Will has been the Director of IT and Executive Director of the department. Prior to joining RaceTrac, Will worked for Milliken & Company in production management and process improvement in three different production facilities. Will holds a MBA from Georgia State University and a BS in Mechanical Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology. In his time away from work, Will enjoys spending time with his wife and two young daughters. He also is avid fan of Georgia Tech’s football team and the Atlanta Braves.

John Trainor, Vice President and Chief Information Officer
Aarons, Inc.

John Trainor is Vice President and Chief Information Officer of Aaron's, Inc., an Atlanta-based specialty retailer that leases furniture, electronics, and appliances.  Since 1999, he has helped Aaron's grow from 450 stores to over 1900 with almost $3B in revenue.  Prior to joining Aaron's, he worked in technology roles at the Southern Company and the United States Senate.  He has a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering degree from the Georgia Institute of Technology.

Mike Segler, Global Distribution Sector Solution Sales Manager
IBM

As, Global Distribution Sector Solution Sales Manager, Mike brings extensive experience in business solutions sales and sales management, including emerging / large account sales, executive relationship management, direct / matrix sales team management, technical and financial justifications, and project management. With a clear understanding of major industries he offers his advanced expertise providing integrated solutions to companies in the travel, transportation, distribution, retail and consumer package goods industries.

Doug Busk, Mobile Brand Strategy Global Connections
The Coca-Cola Company

With over 10 years’ leadership experience in the mobile space, ranging from interactive television to mobile grassroots strategy, Doug Busk brings a diverse background to his current role leading Mobile Brand Strategy for the Global Connections marketing team at The Coca-Cola Company. In that role, Doug is responsible for High Leverage Initiatives --- strategic projects that have a direct impact on the company’s sales via the use of mobile technologies. His current focus is on mobile commerce, 2D, and location-based services.

Previously, Doug held business development and product marketing executive roles with Atlanta-based Whoop, Amdocs, and SinglePoint. Over the 2008 presidential election cycle, Doug served as the outside strategic advisor to the landmark mobile efforts of the Obama campaign. Prior to that, Doug led product management and development for Verizon Wireless and Cingular. While with Verizon, he was instrumental in coordinating the first cross-carrier non-profit fundraising project via mobile giving benefitting the Red Cross’ Hurricane Katrina relief efforts.

An active participant in industry organizations, Doug has held multiple Board and Committee leadership positions with the Mobile Marketing Association, .MOBI, and CTIA/WIC.

Peter Conn, Director Workforce Operations & Strategy
The Home Depot

Peter joined The Home Depot in 2004 and has held various Operations roles of increasing responsibility in the areas of Specialty Sales and Labor Management.  He is currently the Director of Workforce Operations & Strategy responsible for workforce management systems, analytics and special projects.  Last year Peter’s team completed the implementation of a workforce management system across the Core US.

Prior to coming to The Home Depot, Peter worked for Northrop Grumman in the design, engineering, construction and program management of nuclear submarines.

Peter has a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Bucknell University and an MBA from the Darden Graduate School of Business at the University of Virginia.