Executive Conference

Josh Cobb is an accomplished Executive with a proven track record of leading multi-billion-dollar supply chains and high-performing teams across iconic brands such as Wendy’s, Wingstop, Taco Bell, and more.  

With expertise in strategic sourcing, risk management, innovation, and supplier partnerships, Joshua has driven over $200 million in cost savings and $250 million in new product sales throughout his career. Currently serving as Executive Vice President of Supply Chain at Wendy’s Quality Supply Chain Co-Op, he oversees a department of 25, managing $4 billion in annual spend across domestic and international operations. His leadership has led to the successful implementation of next-generation bacon, saving $28 million annually, and the development of innovative products like Cinnabon Pull-Apart and Saucy Nuggs, generating a combined 250 million in top-line sales. 

Previously, served as Senior Director of Global Supply Chain at Wingstop Restaurant Inc.. He implemented industry-leading pricing models and risk management strategies, averting $100 million in market costs during the 2021 wing market highs allowing Wingstop to be one of the hottest restaurants for consumers and investors. Josh’s career also includes a tenure as Vice President of Supply Chain at Taco Bueno Restaurant Group, Health Trust/CoreTrust, Restaurant Supply Chain Solutions, Avendra LLC. Josh started his career at Dean Foods Company, where he became the youngest Operations Manager in the country. 

Holding a Bachelor of Science in Political Science with a minor in Finance from Florida State University, Josh is also HACCP certified by the FDA and a Safe Quality Foods (SQF) Certified Practitioner-Level 3. His strategic vision and leadership continue to deliver transformative results and operational excellence across the organizations he serves. 

Jeff Saturday has traveled a unique road to Pro-Bowl/All-Pro success in the National Football League. His combination of leadership and teamwork has built a winning framework for the Indianapolis Colts and Green Bay Packers resulting in a Super Bowl win and many personal awards. As a speaker, clients rave about how much time Jeff spends with them prior to events to learn about their company and to customize his presentations for their events.

Jeff Saturday’s blue collar work ethic was developed early in his years at Shamrock High School. As a result of success on the high school level, he continued his football career at the University of North Carolina starting all 37 games. Despite multiple conference awards, Saturday remained undrafted in the 1998 National Football League draft. Excitement built as the free agent signed with the Baltimore Ravens only to lead to disappointment as he was released two months later. Out of football for six months, he would sign with the Indianapolis Colts in January of 1999.

For many football fans, Jeff Saturday exemplified the workman attitude of the offensive lineman. A team within a team, the offensive line must lead while acting as a cohesive unit. As the Colts starting center, Saturday appeared in 85 consecutive games from 1999-2004 demonstrating the grit required by his position. He was the recipient of many commendations and successes including six Pro Bowls, two First Team All-Pro, two Second Team All-Pro, two-time AFC champion and Super Bowl champion (Super Bowl XLI.)

Jeff ended his NFL career with a one-day contract to retire as an Indianapolis Colt. Upon retirement, he joined ESPN as an NFL analyst.

Jeff and Karen Saturday reside in the Atlanta area with their three children: Jeffrey Douglas, Savannah Faith and Joshua Bryant.

Doug Rauch spent 31 years with Trader Joe’s Company, the last 14 years as president, growing the business from a small, nine-store chain in Southern California to a nationally acclaimed retail success story with more than 340 stores in 30 states. How did Trader Joe’s, a company that started as a 7/11 knockoff, become the hottest retailer in America? The answer lies in its innovation. Rauch developed the company’s prized buying philosophy, created its unique private label food program, and wrote and executed the business plan for expanding Trader Joe’s nationally. He also championed the development and execution of Trader Joe’s University and the prized customer experience orientation.

Rauch is also the Founder and President of Daily Table, an innovative, non-profit retail solution tackling the issue of hunger, and the co-CEO of Conscious Capitalism. Through his experience at the popular grocer and Daily Table (where he developed an innovative way to provide both grab-n-go meals and basic groceries at pennies on the dollar), Rauch has learned to be a master of innovation. In multimedia presentations filled with great stories and eye-opening case studies, he shares how to create a self-sustaining culture of innovation, build a brand in a competitive marketplace, and lead with a purpose.

Claudia Roessler is Director Agriculture in Microsoft Azure Global Engineering group. She is responsible for developing strategic partnerships around digital innovation and ag tech solutions within the agriculture ecosystem. She drives ag tech innovation that helps increase productivity in a sustainable manner leveraging technology such as AI, IoT, and blockchain. She helps organizations on their digital transformation journey and enables them to build data-enabled analytics and science solutions for the food, fiber, and fuel value chain.

Claudia Roessler joined Microsoft in 1992 in Germany. She held several international roles with a focus on Business Development, Sales and Marketing, Business Strategy, and Industry.

Claudia is serving on the Board of Directors for Ag Growth International. She is an ambassador for Women in Food and Agriculture, and serves as venture partner for Radicle Growth.

Bill Phelps is the Chief Executive Officer and largest shareholder of Dave’s Hot Chicken, a fast casual chicken concept. Prior to coming on board with Dave’s Hot Chicken in 2018, Phelps co-founded Blaze Pizza with Rick and Elise Wetzel in 2012. The company grew to more than 370 fast casual pizza restaurants before completing two private equity deals in 2017 and 2020. Phelps also started Wetzel’s Pretzels in 1994, a snack food franchise company, building the company up to 355 locations over 28 years before orchestrating two private equity deals, stepping down in 2018. Phelps was also Vice President of Marketing at Nestle from 1990-1994. Prior to entering the food industry, Phelps served as a US Army Reserve Field Artillery Officer 1st Lieutenant. He received his BA in Economics from Middlebury College in Middlebury VT.

Vincent “Bo” Jackson was born November 30, 1962 in Bessemer, Alabama, and is the eighth of ten children. His mother, Mrs. Florence Jackson Bond, raised him and his siblings as a single mother. After high school, Bo accepted a football scholarship to Auburn University, becoming one of Auburn’s most prolific athletes, winning the Heisman Trophy in 1985 among many other achievements.

In 1987, Bo signed with the Los Angeles Raiders and began his two-sport career, joining the Raiders at the end of baseball season. In 1989, he was named to the MLB All Star Team—receiving the most votes in the American League and became the All Star MVP that year. In 1990, he was an NFL Pro Bowl Selection, making him the only athlete in American sports history selected as an All Star in two major sports. During his two-sport career, Bo was featured in several endorsement campaigns. His “Bo Knows” Nike advertisement campaign became a cultural phenomenon, receiving recognition for its popularity and creativity in the advertisement medium. In addition to Nike, Bo has been featured in prominent ads for Pepsi, Lipton Tea, AT&T, Kia Motors, Nissan, and Budweiser.

A hip injury in January of 1991 ended Bo’s professional football career but he remained active in professional baseball for an additional four years. Bo is a believer in the motto, “to whom much is given, much is expected” and his charitable contributions are numerous. Past and current charities include Alabama Sheriff’s Boys and Girls Ranch, Make A Wish Foundation, Children’s Miracle Network, Off the Street Club, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospitals, U.S. Department of Education, Marillac Center for Abused Children, Silver and Black Foundation, Bo Jackson’s Give Me A Chance Foundation, and Bo Bikes Bama.

Bo’s interests in the business world developed during his sports career, with the creation of Bo Jackson Enterprises in 1992. Since 1992, he has expanded his business interests and is affiliated with the following entities: President, Bo Jackson Elite Sports; CEO/ President, Jackson Packaging, LLC; CEO, Jackson and Partners; CEO, Promise Pharmaceuticals; and Minority Owner, Colgan Carp Solutions. He is also a spokesperson for Nike, Inc. Bo currently serves as Ambassador for the Chicago White Sox Baseball Team, Kansas City Royals Baseball Team, and the Las Vegas Raiders Football Team.