Growth Through Mergers & Acquisition and the Future of Technology

Jim Brinton

President, Brinton Business Ventures, Inc.

Drawing from more than 50 years of experience and over 20 completed acquisitions, Jim Brinton will share practical lessons on evaluating opportunities, integrating businesses, and avoiding costly mistakes including when the smartest move is to walk away from a deal. The session will also cover emerging technologies reshaping the industry, offering a framework for evaluating innovation and staying competitive in a changing marketplace.

A Fireside Chat: Advocacy, Leadership, and the Future of NAMA

Patrick D. Moran

Owner, Moran Refreshments & Chair, NAMA Foundation

Patrick is the owner of Moran Refreshments, based in Tyler. He currently serves as chair of the National Automatic Merchandising Association Foundation and as a board member for Bethesda Health Clinic in Tyler. He participates annually in the NAMA Fly-In and Advocacy Summit in Washington, D.C., as well as TMVA’s biennial Legislative Action Day in Austin. His previous industry leadership and community service include serving as chair of the National Automatic Merchandising Association, being named NAMA’s 2023 Operator of the Year, serving as president of the Texas Merchandise Vending Association, chairing the deacons at Green Acres Baptist Church, serving on the Leadership Tyler board and the Whitehouse ISD school board, and leading BSA Troop 370 as Scoutmaster. Patrick holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Evangel University and a Master of Divinity from the Baptist Missionary Association Theological Seminary. He has completed the NAMA Executive Development Program at Michigan State University and the Boy Scouts of America Wood Badge leadership training program. Patrick and his wife, Jane, have been married for 37 years. They have four adult children, two daughters-in-law, and three grandchildren. Patrick’s favorite pastimes are outdoor activities with his family.

Christine Cochran

President & CEO, National Automatic Merchandising Association (NAMA)

Christine Cochran is the President & CEO of the National Automatic Merchandising Association (NAMA), the trade association representing the $64 billion convenience services industry. A recognized leader in association management, she has spent her career modernizing trade organizations, driving high-impact advocacy, and building the financial and operational infrastructure for long-term growth.

Since joining NAMA, Christine has focused on strengthening the organization’s foundation by deepening member engagement, building leadership alignment, and positioning the association for accelerated growth. She brings to the role the same strategic and operational instincts that have defined her career: diagnosing what an organization needs, building for the long term, and moving with urgency.

Previously, she served as President & CEO of SNAC International, Executive Director of the Grain Foods Foundation, and President of the Commodity Markets Council. Across all three organizations, she tailored their advocacy portfolios, reimagined their branding and visibility, and stabilized the organizations financially.

Christine holds a Juris Doctor from Georgetown University Law Center and a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Economics from the University of Missouri.

Commissary Crash Course

Michael Dry

Vice President, Imperial

What to know about starting, building, and running your own Commissary Kitchen

Thinking about launching a commissary kitchen or looking to sharpen the one you already run? This session breaks down the essentials of getting a commissary operation off the ground and keeping it running efficiently, from initial setup and equipment considerations to staffing, workflow, and day-to-day operational best practices. Whether you’re exploring commissary as a new revenue stream or refining an existing facility, you’ll walk away with practical, real-world guidance you can put to work right away.

Texas Legislative Update: What’s Ahead for TMVA

Alec Lewis

Lobbyist, Ron Lewis & Associates

TMVA’s lobbyist, Alec Lewis, will provide an update on the Texas legislative and regulatory issues affecting the vending industry statewide. Attendees will hear what’s moving at the Capitol, what to watch for in the next session, and how TMVA is working on operators’ credited on their behalf in Austin.

The Policy Landscape: What’s Shaping the Convenience Services Industry Nationally

Michael Hogg

Director of State and Local Government Affairs, NAMA

Michael Hogg, NAMA’s Director of State and Local Government Affairs, will present a broad overview of the policy and regulatory issues affecting the convenience services industry across the country — from emerging trends to active legislative battles operators should have on their radar. This presentation sets the stage for the roundtable discussion to follow, where attendees can drill down into the issues most relevant to their businesses. Past sessions have taken on topics ranging from ADA compliance to food ingredient mandates, shaped entirely by the questions and concerns participants bring to the table.