About Us

Circle The Wagons Group Purchasing Organization is committed to saving independent grocery retailers time and money.

We founded Circle the Wagons Group Purchasing Organization (CTW) in 2018, understanding that grocery retailers are under more pressure than ever.  We wanted to protect the profitability and viability of independent retailers by delivering lower costs and expenses for Not For Resale services and commodities. We don’t believe in expensive membership fees where you have to consider the benefit of our vendors versus your ROI. Instead, we get you the best deals through the combined purchasing power of the members of CTW. Our expert team has decades of experience in the grocery industry, specifically with cost reduction, purchase evaluation, and loss prevention areas. CTW is here for you. 

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Barton Howard,
Founder & Chief Executive Officer

Randall “Barton” Howard is an entrepreneur, retail expert, and former head of loss prevention. Barton was deputized at 19 years old by the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office and served as a law enforcement Investigator in Mississippi until 2010. Barton was recruited to work as a Security Manager at Rouses Market, the 7th largest independent grocer in the United States where he rose through the ranks serving as Vice President of Asset and Profit Protection until July of 2021.

In early 2021, Barton partnered with Rocky Patel Premium Cigars to create Tubeaux by Rocky Patel, thus bringing his invention to the global, retail marketplace in partnership with one of the largest manufacturers of premium cigars in the world. Tubeaux is a global patent pending tech-enabled turnkey humidor service. Recognizing underserved needs for independent grocers, Barton Founded Circle the Wagons (CTW) Group Purchasing Organization in 2018 to serve independent grocery retailers across the US and Canada. Barton is a serial entrepreneur, works closely with Callais Capital which have backed two of his ventures and is associated with several other well-known brands such as Gatr Coolers, Beast Brands, Mallard Bay, and Brewsy Products. He continues to serve on the Advisory Board of Emergency and Security Studies at Tulane University.

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Heather Russell,
Co-Founder & Vice President of Finance

Heather leads financial strategy, accounting, budgeting, and fiscal operations at CTW.  Heather has been instrumental in shaping the company’s financial foundation and continues to play a key role in driving growth and efficiency.

Heather’s career began in accounting, with over 10 years of experience across the oil & gas and grocery sectors. She has also held roles in human resources and business development, giving her a well-rounded perspective on organizational operations.

A graduate of Nicholls State University with a bachelor’s degree in accounting, Heather is also a commissioned notary in the state of Louisiana. Her dedication, expertise, and long-standing commitment to CTW make her an essential leader as the organization continues to expand.

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Chase Russell,
Co-Founder & President - Warehouse and Logistics

Chase Russell is a dynamic professional with a multifaceted career spanning the healthcare and logistics industries. With over a decade of experience in the medical field, where he has held various roles, Chase has honed his skills in leadership, organization, and strategic planning. During his tenure in healthcare, he demonstrated a steadfast commitment to delivering exceptional patient care and optimizing operational efficiency. 

In a bold career move, Chase transitioned to the world of supply chain management where he now serves as Director of Supply Chain Services at CTW. In his current role, Chase leverages his extensive leadership experience and operational expertise to drive excellence in warehousing and fulfillment services. Under his guidance, CTW has established itself as a leader in the industry, delivering high quality services with unparalleled attention to detail, flexibility and accessibility.

Chase is a driving force behind CTW’s mission to redefine the standards of warehousing and fulfillment services. His strategic vision, coupled with his unwavering commitment to customer satisfaction, makes him a valuable asset to both CTW and the industries it serves

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Natalija Paldrmic,
Chief Growth Officer

Natalija is a growth strategist with a passion for keeping retailers ahead of the curve by delivering innovative brands, breakthrough technology, and bold solutions that drive sales and transform customer experiences. She’s been a driving force behind some of the most game-changing firsts in retail technologies—think Coinstar, Redbox, Vision Value Club (now AppCard), Meals.com (now Nestle GoodNes.com), FloWater, Blackhawk Network Original Content, and iCleanse Media to name a few. If it’s cutting-edge and built to scale, she’s on it.

As Chief Growth Officer at Circle the Wagons, Natalija bridges the gap between emerging brands, disruptive tech, and forward-thinking retailers. She specializes in expanding high-demand, mission-driven brands that today’s consumers crave. With a sharp eye for what’s next and a talent for building strategic partnerships, she ensures retailers don’t just keep up—they lead.
 
Beyond business, Natalija is a first-generation American with a relentless drive to get things done and to find new ways to make an impact. She’s a passionate animal lover, and dedicated animal welfare supporter. Whether she’s delivering game-changing retail solutions or advocating for pets, she brings the same energy, heart, and determination to everything she does.

Greg Baker,
President CPG Strategy Operations

Greg Baker is a seasoned senior executive with more than 35 years of proven success leading sales, category management, and strategic growth initiatives across the consumer products industry. Greg has been instrumental in building and leading high-performing teams while driving sustainable growth and expanding the brand’s presence across major retail channels. Throughout his career, Greg has consistently delivered results by combining data-driven insights, strategic sales planning, and collaborative leadership.
 
As President of CPG Strategy & Operations, Greg leverages deep expertise in the CPG sector and a unique background in law enforcement to bridge emerging brands, disruptive technologies, and innovative retail partnerships. He excels at scaling high-demand, mission-driven brands that resonate with today’s consumers.
 
Greg holds a Bachelor of Science in Marketing and Business Law from Oklahoma State University. He is recognized as a collaborative, results-focused leader dedicated to designing and executing scalable growth strategies that make lasting impacts on organizations and their industries.

Renee Brinkley,
Human Resources Director

Renee brings a wealth of leadership and organizational expertise to her role as Human Resources Director at CTW. With a distinguished career of more than two decades in public service, she retired from the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office as a Major, where she oversaw the Civil Department and managed the Personnel Division.

Renee holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Nicholls State University and a Master’s in Public Administration from the University of New Orleans, with many academic achievements that complement her extensive background in personnel management, training, and employee relations. This strong foundation equips her to lead CTW’s HR strategy with professionalism, care, and dedication.

At CTW, Renee is responsible for fostering a positive workplace culture, guiding talent development, and supporting the company’s continued growth through sound HR practices. Passionate about people and purpose, she is committed to ensuring that CTW’s team members feel supported, valued, and empowered to excel.

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Christie Pepper,
Strategic Partner Relations Lead

Christie, a dedicated graduate of Nicholls State University with a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice, brings 20 years of distinguished service from the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office, where she made a significant impact. Her career began in the court division before she transitioned to the Lafourche Parish District Attorney’s Office as an investigator, where her skills truly shone.

As a past member of the Louisiana District Attorney’s Association Board, Christie not only served for several years but also led as the elected president of the Investigator Board for two consecutive terms. In this leadership role, she played a crucial part in steering legislative research and decisions that greatly influenced law enforcement and the criminal justice system.

In her new position, Christie is poised to drive overall efficiency, streamline administrative operations, and enhance client communications. Her strong commitment to collaboration with leadership and diverse teams showcases her dedication and determination to achieve exceptional results.

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Janet Barrios,
Accounting Specialist

Janet Barrios is an accomplished accounting specialist with a background in administrative roles in the technology industry. She previously served as an Administrative Specialist at a leading technology company in Louisiana for nearly two years.

Janet brings extensive experience in accounting and sales management, business development, and overall business operations knowledge to her current role. She performs financial auditing and analysis, ensuring accuracy and compliance with regulations, while also assisting with accounts receivable tasks, balance sheet reconciliations, journal entries, and regulatory reporting requirements.

Janet actively supports the month-end close process and collaborates with cross functional teams, gathering financial data and providing valuable insights to inform strategic decision making. Her dedication and expertise significantly contribute to the success and efficiency of her team at Circle the Wagons.

Kenneth "Kenny" DeIuliis,

Kenny is a seasoned payment solutions expert and entrepreneur, with a strong track record across diverse industries including payment processing, ATM sales and support, construction, sports bars, housing, laundry, vending, kiosks, lottery, and sports gambling.

A trusted advisor in the payments industry, Kenny is known for his leadership in new technology, innovation, and customer support. He is based in Pittsburgh, PA, where he operates multiple businesses and leads the Wholesale Payments Group (WPG) headquarters.

After attending Duquesne University and the University of Pittsburgh, Kenny co-owned and grew his family’s excavation company, E&K Enterprises. In 1997, he entered the marketing space with KBA and SignCast before transitioning into merchant services in 2001, building long-standing relationships with companies like EVO, Card Connect, Fiserv, and Shift4.

Kenny founded J&D Solutions in 2001 and expanded into ATM services in 2003, eventually growing to over 1,000 accounts nationwide. In 2012, he co-founded Wholesale Payments Group to pool industry expertise and provide a broader range of services to clients.

He has served on several advisory boards, offering insight into emerging trends in payments and sports gaming.

Jason Fox,

Jason is a founding member and current CFO of Wholesale Payments Group, LP, with over 20 years of experience in the ATM, credit card, vending, and service industries—and more than 25 years in business development, operations, and management training.
He has consulted for a wide range of businesses including restaurants, Native American casinos, Oregon State Lottery, sports gaming, vending, healthcare, ATM operations, armored car services, and more.
Jason earned a BS in Pharmacology from Oregon State University in 1999 and is a registered pharmacist. From 2000 to 2005, he managed five pharmacies for Rite Aid and Kroger, streamlining operations and training staff. He later earned an MBA in Human Resource Management from the University of Phoenix in 2004.
In 2004, Jason launched Black Pearl Investments, opened his first restaurant, and transitioned from full-time pharmacist to part-time consultant. He expanded his family’s casino-based deli business, eventually overseeing 13 locations and more than 100 employees.
In 2006, he founded Infinity ATM Solutions, now serving over 300 locations across Oregon, SW Washington, and Northern California. As president, he leads cash management and payment processing operations and integrates Wholesale Payments Group strategies into Infinity’s services.
Jason is based in Milwaukie, Oregon, where he runs WPG’s West Coast office. He also serves on several advisory boards across the payments, pharmaceutical, state lottery, and sports gaming sectors.

Charles Carriere,
Director of Cost & Fixed Expense Reduction

Charles Carriere is a cost-reduction specialist with Schooley Mitchell, where he helps businesses streamline their expenses and maximize profitability. Leveraging his deep understanding of business operations and financial strategy, he delivers measurable savings across various expense categories. His ability to drive results makes him a trusted advisor to clients seeking to optimize their cost structures in an increasingly competitive marketplace.

Before his work at Schooley Mitchell, Charles co-founded Scandy, Inc., a computer-vision software development company, where he served as Chairman and President. At Scandy, he led business development and product management initiatives, resulting in the launch of multiple successful apps with over 1 million downloads in the Apple App Store. He also founded Entrescan, LLC, a 3D printer reseller and 3D printed parts service, which later spun off into Scandy.

Charles began his career in finance at Johnson Rice & Company, LLC, a boutique energy-focused investment banking firm. As an equity member and institutional equity sales professional, he built strong relationships with major investment accounts across the U.S., providing insightful buy and sell recommendations, particularly in the energy sector. His early experience as an equity analyst sharpened his analytical skills, laying the foundation for his success in both finance and technology.

He holds an MBA in Finance from Tulane University, where he was valedictorian, and a BA from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he was a Morehead Scholar.

Mike O'Shell
Consultant

With over 47 years of leadership experience in the grocery and retail industry, he brings a wealth of knowledge, strategy, and vision to his role as a CTW Consultant. After retiring from Pyramid Foods in June 2023, he launched a consulting career dedicated to helping organizations and partners thrive in an ever-changing marketplace.

Throughout his career, he has been recognized as a trusted voice in the industry, serving on the GMDC Board until 2021 and contributing his expertise to the AWG/VMC Boards through 2020. His decades of insight and proven track record make him an invaluable asset to the CTW team and to the partners we serve.