National Alliance of Trade Associations (NATA, LLC) today announced that Mike Thompson has been appointed as the company’s chief executive officer effective May 18, 2020. “We are extremely excited to have Mike Thompson as our new chief executive officer following a thorough selection process by the board of directors and its advisory committee,” said Mehdi Ali, Chairman of the board of NATA. “Mike is a respected business leader in the convenience store and CPG distribution industries with a proven track record of delivering long term commercial growth and organizational support. On behalf of the entire NATA board, we look forward to working with Mike as he leads NATA forward into continued success.”
Mike will bring more than 40 years of experience in CPG distribution and convenience retailing. Prior to joining NATA, Mike lead the Greater Houston Retailers Cooperative Association (GHRA) as a chief executive officer from 2009 to 2018 where he transformed a small 5 employee team into a 140+ associate team supporting more than 2,000 member stores that included the development and opening of a 150,000 square foot warehouse and distribution center. GHRA is one of the most respected and reputable convenience store cooperatives in the country today supported by many large and small supply partners sustained by strong business relationships fostered by Mike over the last 10 years.
Prior to his role at GHRA, Mike spent 30 years with the Coca-Cola Enterprises in important positions such as the vice president of sales for the Houston division and southwest division director of convenience store sales.
“It is an honor and a privilege to have an opportunity to lead this great organization. For 20 years, NATA has played a vital role in fostering success in each of the 12 regional Ismaili Muslim Trade Associations and other institutions across the United States. NATA built on its accomplishments largely through its determination to advance the unity of its member trade associations and by providing organized economic, social, and educational opportunities to its 4,000+ like-minded independent entrepreneurs. NATA has enjoyed many years of great support from its business partners, industry, and government leaders as well as the Ismaili Community. I look forward to expanding on the first successful 20 years and to continue to foster and develop those great relationships that provide extreme value to NATA members and business partners” said Mike Thompson.
Corporate Profile
The National Alliance of Trade Associations is an organization that is dedicated to uniting, educating, supporting, and leveraging the synergy of its 12 regional trade associations across the United States to add value to its members and member stores improving the quality of life to small entrepreneurs.
NATA is extremely proud of its affiliations with all its member trade associations. These trade associations give back to their local communities through efforts in the areas of food security, supporting the needs of the underprivileged, collaborating with local law enforcement to make our communities safer and stronger. Further, NATA and member trade associations also participate in global programs such as the PartnershipsInAction, a global initiative of the Aga Khan Foundation aimed at alleviating poverty in the Third World while building an infrastructure of higher education, better health services, rural development, and civil society. NATA also participates in annual tradeshows organized by The National Association of Convenience Stores, an international trade association representing more than 2,100 retail and 1,600 supplier company members.