About Us

Circle The Wagons is committed to enhancing profits and achieving cost savings for retailers through trusted relationships.

We founded Circle the Wagons (CTW) in 2018, understanding that grocery retailers are under more pressure than ever.  We protect the profitability and viability of independent retailers by delivering lower costs and expenses and we facilitate opportunities to expand revenue pathways with innovative solutions. Our expert team has decades of experience in the grocery industry, specifically with cost reduction, purchase evaluation, technology, 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 President of Warehouse and Logistics here 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

Louis Bollinger,
Executive Coordinator

Louis Bollinger brings over 10 years of diverse experience to Circle The Wagons. Having previously worked in Project Controls, Credit Analysis, Internal Audit, and even Interior Design, he brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise in executive and administrative support.

Louis graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Nicholls State University. In his role, he works directly with Circle The Wagon’s CEO to coordinate scheduling and communication with internal and external stakeholders. He also supports the Executive and C-Suite teams in the timely and thorough completion of the company’s various projects. Louis is vital in maintaining transparent communication and accountability across all levels of the organization.

Louis’s commitment to his role contributes to an efficient and organized environment at Circle The Wagons. He strives to approach each day as a new opportunity to achieve the goals set forth by the company. These traits prove beneficial to the evolving pace of our operations.

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.

Rawnica Dillingham,
Chief Hospitality Officer

Rawnica Dillingham (she/her) is an executive, entrepreneur, and industry thought leader with more than 25 years of experience across the spirits and hospitality industries. She operates at the intersection of commercial strategy and human-centered leadership, building brands, teams, and systems designed for both performance and long-term impact.

She currently serves as Chief Sales Officer at New Riff Distilling, where she leads global sales strategy across domestic and international markets. Her scope includes distributor partnerships, pricing architecture, forecasting, and market expansion. Known for her ability to bring clarity to complex growth environments, Rawnica has played a critical role in scaling the brand’s national presence while strengthening its position in emerging international markets. Her leadership is grounded in a culture-first approach, ensuring that growth is aligned with both business objectives and organizational values.

In parallel, Rawnica is the Founder & Chief Visionary Officer of Fallow Collective, a hospitality-driven ecosystem of brands focused on building purpose-led companies across beverage, hospitality, and adjacent industries. Through Fallow, she is creating an integrated platform that connects strategy, execution, and experience.

The Collective includes Barrel & Bloom Agency, a fractional sales and field execution partner for emerging bev alc and hospitality-adjacent CPG brands; Rooted Field Services, a field sales and execution company supporting regulated and traditional CPG categories; and Cultivate, a leadership and learning platform focused on developing stronger, more connected teams across the industry and Sipp Garden, a pre-launch hospitality-forward platform encompassing both a consumer-facing beverage concept and a purpose-driven beverage product line. Together, these entities reflect her broader vision of bringing hospitality back to retail and building businesses that prioritize both people and performance.

Rawnica’s prior leadership roles at Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey and Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits provided deep expertise across the full commercial landscape – from national account strategy to distributor management and team development. She is widely recognized for her ability to translate strategy into execution while maintaining a strong connection to community and culture.

Her leadership is guided by three principles: intentionality, accountability, and connectedness. These values shape how she builds teams, develops partnerships, and grows brands – anchoring her belief that sustainable growth is achieved through alignment between people, purpose, and performance.

Beyond her executive and entrepreneurial work, Rawnica is deeply committed to mentorship, leadership development, and advancing equity across the beverage and hospitality industries. She actively contributes to organizations including the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States and Women of the Vine & Spirits, supporting initiatives centered on education, mentorship, and belonging, and helping shape a more inclusive and forward-thinking industry.

Greg Wellinghoff,
Vice President of Business Development

Greg Wellinghoff is a sales and business development leader with over a decade of experience driving growth across the consumer packaged goods, beverage, and foodservice industries. He specializes in scaling brands, expanding national distribution, and building high-performing teams that deliver consistent revenue growth.

Greg began his career at Pepsi Bottling Ventures, where he managed key accounts including Walmart and regional chains, consistently exceeding performance targets while strengthening execution across sales, logistics, and supply chain operations. This experience established his foundation in route-to-market strategy and cross-functional leadership.

He later joined Black Rifle Coffee Company as Senior Director of Sales for Grocery and RTD channels, where he built the grocery business from the ground up. He developed pricing strategy, broker networks, and retail expansion plans that drove multimillion-dollar revenue growth. He also secured distribution with major national retailers and led a broad network of distributor partners across multiple states.

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Mark Simpson,
Vice President of Revenue Operations

Mark is a strategic operator that wears many hats and focuses on delivering unique experiences to customers. His ability to think and operate across multiple disciplines allows him to bring even the biggest visions to life. His 25+ years of experience in the technology industry have equipped him with a diversified set of skills that span across the organization.

As Vice President of Revenue Operations, Mark uses his expertise and connections in the grocery industry to grow partnerships, build out visions, and deliver innovative solutions to retailers. He is also an expert in systems thinking and prides himself on using flexible processes to bring order to chaos.

Mark holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and a MBA in Technology Management from the University of Phoenix. His training, skills, and unique perspective make him a joy to collaborate with on and off the golf course where he spends much of his free time.

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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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.