John Ross, President & CEO, IGA Inc.

John Ross, President & CEO IGA Inc., is responsible for domestic and global operations for IGA, the world’s largest independent supermarket network with nearly 6,500 IGA supermarkets in more than 30 countries worldwide.

During his career John has served as President, Inmar Promotions network; CEO, IPG Shopper Sciences; and President, IPG Emerging Media Lab. He has held leadership positions with smaller independents and larger retailers like Home Depot, in roles ranging from CMO, store management, merchandising, advertising, marketing and e-commerce.

John’s experience spans many industries and areas of focus. He’s worked in operations; merchandising and marketing; new, traditional and digital media; and analytics and big data for some of the largest brands in the world, including Coke, P&G, Schwab, Publix, Walmart, Chrysler, Fiat, Sony, Bose, Google, AOL, and so many more. He has also helped launch and grow some of the world’s largest propriety brands at retail.

He is the co-author of the Google Book ZMOT: Zero Moment of Truth, and author of the recently-published Fire in the Zoo, a book about shopper influence, marketing mania, retailer chaos, advertising pitfalls, consumer confidence, converting customers and how screaming at people usually doesn't work.

John is a champion of data-driven decision making, shopper-focused marketing and active listening.

John has BA, BS and MBA degrees from Tulane University in New Orleans, and serves on a number of retail industry boards, including Food Marketing Institute, National Grocers Association, Consumer Goods Forum, and Inmar. He and Marie, his wife of 25+ years, live in Atlanta, where they have three kids and too many pets.

Will McIntee, Director of Strategic Engagement, White House Office of Public Engagement

Will McIntee serves as Director of Strategic Engagement at The White House and manages rural, agriculture, food, and nutrition engagement for the White House Office of Public Engagement. He served as the National Rural Engagement Director on the Biden-Harris campaign. He also previously served at the U.S. Department of the Interior during the Obama-Biden Administration, in the Office of Congressman Bruce Braley (IA-01) in Iowa, and as the Midwest Outreach Director for the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition. A native of Iowa, Will is an alum of Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa and is passionate about the rural places he has lived and worked and ensuring that all rural communities have the resources they need to thrive.

Will's keynote address will provide updates on the Biden-Harris Administration’s work to implement the National Strategy on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health, and work to invest in rural communities through the American Rescue Plan Act, Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and Inflation Reduction Act.

Marquitrice Mangham, Farmacy Marketplace

Born and raised in Charleston, Mississippi, Ms. Mangham is third generation farmer and US Army veteran. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and a Master’s in Public Administration. After pursuing her Juris Doctorate at Phoenix School of Law, Ms. Mangham continued her 20-year professional career in the public sector as a Community Planner. After inheriting her family farmland in Tallahatchie County, Mississippi in 2016, Ms. Mangham began producing row crops including soybeans and wheat over her 180-acre farm. In 2017, Ms. Mangham founded and currently manages In Her Shoes, Inc, (IHS) a nonprofit organization that provides resources and support to socially disadvantaged and underserved farmers in Georgia and the Mississippi Delta through its Farm Business Enhancement Program (FBEP). FBEP’s goal is to increase long-term sustainability among socially disadvantaged farm businesses through income diversification and is funded through US Department of Agriculture. In 2023, IHS received national attention for efforts to increase fresh food access and support small farm businesses in rural communities by opening one of only two grocery stores in Tallahatchie County, the only fresh food retailer within more than 15-mile radius and supported by local farmers.

Jenny Osner, Hired Man's Grocery & Grill

Jenny Osner has her master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction and was a certified teacher for eighteen years in Conway Springs, KS. In July 2008, she and her husband opened the grocery store they built from the ground up, naming it Hired Man's Grocery and Grill, Inc. where she serves as president. The store has been part of Kansas State University Center for Engagement and Community Development's Rural Case Study and Healthy Eating Grant, State of Kansas Supporting Local Food Systems Grant, and USDA REAP grant. Hired Man's is proud to work with local farmers and vendors so local produce and products can be sold in their store. They offer the Double Up Food Bucks Program, and supporting local farmers allows Hired Man's to invest in their local community (population 1,200) both financially and socially.

Jenny has been awarded Kansas State University Rural Grocery Initiative Leadership Excellence Award and Associated Wholesale Grocer's OKC Store Manager of the Year. Hired Man's received the Kansas Department of Commerce Retail/Service Award, Affiliated Foods Midwest Pinnacle Achievement Award, Friends of 4-H Award, National Grocers Association Creative Choice Award, and National Grocer's Association Creative Choice Outstanding Merchandiser Award for their homemade Candy Corn Brats. Jenny currently serves on the Kansas Healthy Food Initiative's Advisory Board and the National Grocers Association Government Relations Committee. She resides in her hometown of Conway Springs, KS, with her husband, Clint, and they have three children: Karlee, Colby, and Haylee. They are proud to live in rural America and take pride in serving their community each day.

Eric Simpson, West Georgia Farmer's Cooperative

Eric Simpson put his hands in the dirt with an intention to grow something 15 years ago and grow something, he did. His farming journey, from backyard gardener to one of the leading members of the West Georgia Farmer’s Cooperative, unfolded as organically as it gets (no pun intended) and continues to set an example for other farmers in how to hold space for building strong community and continuing the tradition of convening and mobilizing, while carving out space for a successful, independent business.

Mr. Eric Simpson sits on the Board of Directors for the West Georgia Farmer’s Cooperative, located in Hamilton, Georgia. Founded in July 1966, West Georgia Farmer's Cooperative’s mission is to rebuild a viable local food system and promote economic development within the community. The mission, values, and vision represent the cooperative's true work in the community and across West Georgia. The agricultural co-op has traditionally consisted of local black farmers, and through their leadership and because of recent participation in the Justice40 Accelerator, the cooperative has successfully been awarded numerous USDA grants to support the build out of a grocery store, shared commercial kitchen, and a credit union. Today, the co-op includes consumers and other community members who all strive to support the continuous growth of the cooperative!

Duane Legg, Legacy Foods Market & Bakery

Duane Legg began working in his grandfather’s grocery store in 1985 at 10 years old, stocking shelves and sweeping floors. In 1995, he started Legacy Foods, having attended Johnson & Wales University and Virginia Tech. Following a colorful career working in restaurants and as a Corporate Chef for a major food distributor, Duane returned to his roots and opened a store front for Legacy Foods in 2020. The store front is located on the exact spot of his grandfather's store. Legacy Foods is located in rural West Virginia, Clay County - a population of less than seven thousand with the nearest major grocery over a 45-minute drive away. Legacy Foods is very active in Clay County with local schools and the community. Partnering with Clay County Schools Baking & Pastry Program allowed students to place second in the state. Duane is currently affiliated with the American Culinary Federation, Bakers Guild of America, WV Food & Farm Coalition, and WVGrown. He is currently the Vice President of the Clay County Business Development Authority and a member of the Board of Directors for the Mountain State Arts & Craft Fair.