Tim has over 30 years of broad retail experience and currently serves as the Head of Alex Lee Retail/President of Lowes Foods, LLC. Tim previously served as Executive Vice-President, Merchandising for Supervalu. Tim also held the position of Senior Vice-President of Operations, Senior Vice-President of Merchandising as well as President of Shoppers Food. Prior to SuperValu Tim’s broad career also included time in General Merchandise including positions with companies such as Wal-Mart and Meijer. He is a graduate of the University of Houston where he graduated with a B.S. in Pharmacy.

Tim and his wife Karla reside in Lewisville, NC.

Kristin Popp is a prominent figure in the grocery industry, renowned for her leadership and dedication to excellence. Currently serving as the Executive Vice President of Woodman’s Food Market, Inc., headquartered in Wisconsin, Kristin plays a pivotal role in the success of the employee-owned company, which operates 20 stores across Wisconsin and northern Illinois. Her journey with Woodman’s began in the realm of human resources, where she served as the HR Director before assuming her current position as EVP for the company. With an impressive 28 years of experience in the industry, Kristin leads the organization’s operations with astuteness and strategic vision. 

In addition to her role at Woodman’s, Kristin is deeply involved and a proud member of the Women Grocers of America (WGA) and currently holds the esteemed position of President within the organization. Operating under the NGA Foundation, WGA is committed to championing the advancement of women in independent grocery, providing avenues for personal and professional growth, fostering meaningful connections, and shining a spotlight on the remarkable accomplishments and contributions of women within the industry. 

Kristin’s leadership within WGA exemplifies her commitment to supporting women and promoting diversity at all levels of the grocery industry, allowing us all to work better together. Through her tireless efforts, she continues to inspire and uplift countless individuals, leaving an indelible mark on the industry and paving the way for the future. 

Kristin is also a founding member of Wisconsin’s Women Grocers Network, a community creating similar support and opportunities at the state level.  

Kristin holds a degree in Business, has completed the Executive Leadership Development Program at Cornell University and has been recognized as a Women of Influence in the grocery industry.   

Back with an update (version 2.0), Joe Parrish will help empower NFRA members to confidently navigate the new era of AI. Through practical education, the session will demonstrate how to use AI to work smarter, think more creatively, and make more informed decisions—ultimately driving greater impact for your businesses, customers, and the broader frozen and refrigerated foods industry.

As food retailers face shifting consumer behavior, rising costs, and margin pressures, alternative revenue models have become essential to sustaining long-term growth. Across the frozen and refrigerated aisles, new revenue pathways—including retail media, loyalty and data monetization, digital incentives, and emerging in-store media channels—are creating opportunities to drive incremental profit and grow shopper loyalty.
This presentation will explore how retailers and brands are evaluating these opportunities, building internal alignment, and operationalizing programs that deliver measurable financial value and stronger shopper engagement. The session will spotlight both on-site and in-store activation, including merchandising, signage, digital shelf touchpoints, and full omnichannel integration. Attendees will gain practical insight into how diversified revenue streams can complement the core grocery business while improving relevance for today’s shopper.

Cleveland Research Company provides a focused look at how the current economic and supply chain environment is shaping retail performance. This session highlights key macro drivers, shifting competitive dynamics across channels, evolving consumer behavior, and freight market trends to outline implications for suppliers going forward.

Cold-chain leaders are under increasing pressure to provide excellent service while promoting sustainability and building genuine resilience. Based on real-world evidence from a year-long study led by Western Michigan University, this Supply Chain Forum session will focus on how infrastructure, operations, and planning must work together to meet these challenges effectively. Stage One explores coordinated, asset-based infrastructure planning, design, and operation. Stage Two demonstrates daily management amid imperfect demand signals and limited visibility. Together, these stages move beyond fragmented “best practices” to deliver an integrated, industry-tested framework that strengthens demand–supply alignment and elevates shopper service.

NFRA and Morning Consult spent the past year digging into how shoppers think about the frozen and dairy categories. Ashley Kim, Research Manager, will walk attendees through the clearest takeaways from that research — what drives purchases, what slows them down, and how trends like social media, weight-loss medications, and air fryers are reshaping habits. We’ll break down how consumers judge value, where they look for nutrition information, and what motivates them to try something new. You’ll leave with a sharper picture of today’s shopper, and the opportunities brands can act on right now.

Food waste is a significant financial and operational risk for the U.S. food industry, with 30 – 40% of the food supply going uneaten. For consumers, this amounts to roughly $800 in wasted food per person each year; for retailers, it represents an estimated $28 billion in lost product value, labor, disposal costs, and missed sales. Rising inflation, fuel prices, and supply-chain pressures further squeeze margins and strain ESG commitments across the sector.

NFRA is spotlighting its new Insights Report on food-waste reduction opportunities in the cold-chain, released late last year. The report provides category-level insights, industry and consumer trends, peer case studies, consumer-engagement tools, and outlines actionable strategies that will deliver real business value for NFRA members. Eva Goulbourne will present the report’s findings, highlighting the highest-leverage opportunities and practical pathways to implementation. Attendees will leave with clear next steps on how cold-chain companies can drive measurable improvements to their bottom line, all while supporting consumers and contributing to a more sustainable food system.