We build what’s next.
We made our careers in retail, which is why we know first-hand how to develop industry-leading strategies tailored to our clients’ needs, including guiding through implementation for lasting organizational transformation.
Why I Started NexChapter
After 25+ years in retail across merchandising, marketing, operations, and digital, I saw an industry trying to keep up with change but too often held back by legacy thinking, siloed systems, and a lack of clarity. I’d spent the last chapter of my corporate career leading digital transformation for a regional grocery and a major convenience retailer, and while we made real progress, I realized there was a bigger opportunity to help others do the same. That’s why I started NexChapter.
I wanted to build a firm that doesn’t just offer strategy, but helps retailers, brands, and tech partners activate what’s next — whether that’s loyalty, retail media, digital commerce, or customer data. We’re hands-on, outcome-driven, and rooted in real-world retail experience. NexChapter isn’t about buzzwords. It’s about helping good people inside good businesses move faster, think clearly, and deliver results that matter.
Leadership Team
Art Sebastian
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Art Sebastian leads NexChapter as Founder and CEO, driving growth advisory services that propel convenience and grocery retailers forward. With over twenty-five years spanning retail and consumer packaged goods, he empowers clients across retail, brands, and technology sectors. During his time at Casey’s, he led five transformative years in Digital Transformation and Omnichannel Marketing, orchestrating world-class technology ecosystems that launched industry-leading loyalty programs, e-commerce platforms, and retail media networks. Previously serving as VP of Digital Shopping at Meijer and Category Leadership at Kraft Foods, Art extends his influence as a technology startup advisor and Shoptalk Advisory Board member.
When not thinking about retail strategy, Art stays busy with his kids' activities from competitive dance to seasonal sports; enjoys traveling with his wife and three children; and maintains a modestly impressive bourbon collection.
Mike Templeton
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Mike Templeton is a retail marketing technologist and digital transformation leader with fifteen years driving industry innovation. At Casey’s, America’s third-largest convenience retailer, Mike led large, cross-functional teams driving omnichannel evolution. He designed and launched the award-winning Casey’s Rewards program and oversaw the top-rated app and digital e-commerce ecosystem that drove the vast majority of the brand’s orders. A Certified Loyalty Marketing Professional recognized as Future Leader in Convenience by Convenience Store News and CSP’s Power 20: The Futurists, Mike partners with NexChapter clients to leverage digital transformation for sustainable growth.
Outside of work, Mike enjoys spending time outdoors with his wife and three children, as well as catching up on the latest streaming sci-fi series and trying any breakfast restaurant he can find.
Matt Riezman
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Matt Riezman architects transformative marketing and digital growth strategies for retailers, brands, and technology companies. With over fifteen years spanning retail, consumer packaged goods, and consulting, he offers deep expertise in digital transformation and customer engagement. Previously at Kum & Go, he orchestrated a comprehensive marketing transformation, revolutionized customer engagement through a new brand identity, reimagined the &Rewards loyalty program, launched the first ever always-on paid media strategy, and award-winning campaigns that drove significant growth. His Kraft Heinz brand management experience with Oscar Mayer and Lunchables, plus consulting roles at AlixPartners and Deloitte, cement his strategic foundation. Matt is a recognized thought leader earning Shorty, Effie, and One Show awards.
In his free time, he enjoys traveling with his wife and three children, collecting vintage spirits, and volunteering at the Ronald McDonald House of Central Iowa.
Matt Van Gilder
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Matt Van Gilder is a seasoned retail strategist with deep roots in grocery, shaped early on by his family's grocery business, VG’s Food and Pharmacy. He brings nearly two decades of hands-on experience across the grocery landscape, from community-based retail to leading omnichannel strategy for SpartanNash, a Fortune 400 grocer and wholesaler. At SpartanNash, Matt led enterprise-wide ecommerce and digital transformation initiatives across web, app, loyalty, fulfillment, and third-party marketplaces. With expertise spanning marketing, merchandising, IT, operations, and vendor partnerships, Matt transforms complexity into clarity and actionable roadmaps. At NexChapter, he leads the omnichannel practice, helping clients create seamless, scalable strategies that drive digital engagement, customer growth, and operational performance. Matt was recognized as a 2025 Crain’s 40 Under 40 and a 2020 Progressive Grocer GenNext honoree for his leadership and contributions to the industry.
Matt enjoys staying active outdoors, music, and spending time with his wife and two boys.
Ben Wynkoop
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Ben Wynkoop heads NexChapter's Merchandising and Supply Chain practice. With nearly three decades of transformative leadership across grocery and convenience, he helps retailers tackle their most pressing operational challenges spanning merchandising strategy, supply chain optimization, and customer-centric innovation leading to sustainable growth. Previously, Ben held senior leadership positions with major retailers, such as Jackson's Food Stores, Save Mart, 7-Eleven, and Albertsons. Ben developed a track record for consistently delivering results by modernizing operations, optimizing assortments, and integrating advanced technology into retail execution. His executive leadership roles extend to Blue Yonder, the world leader in end-to-end digital supply chain transformation, and board advisory work at Western Michigan University.
Ben lives in Boise, Idaho with his wife and two kids. They enjoy spending time outdoors skiing, hiking, boating in the Idaho mountains, and traveling to new places around the world.
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Mendy Meriwether leads NexChapter's Foodservice practice, partnering with retailers to build compelling foodservice programs that drive customer engagement and sustainable growth. With more than two decades of experience, she brings deep expertise in category management, product innovation, and business strategy across the convenience and food & beverage industries. During her time at Wawa, Mendy spearheaded the retailer's dinner strategy with built-to-order pizza and transformed the fresh food and beverage landscape, launching the beloved Hoagiefest platform alongside dispensed coffee, hot and iced lattes, smoothies, frozen beverages, and milk shakes. She also served as a founding member of The Wawa Foundation, building stronger communities through supporting causes making a difference in health, hunger, and everyday heroes. Most recently as Vice President of Foodservice at EG America, she defined a comprehensive five-year foodservice strategy, introduced fresh grab-and-go offerings, and developed strategic growth partnerships. She believes success is a series of intentional choices fueled by determination, discipline, and heart. A recognized thought leader, Mendy earned the prestigious Silver Plate Award in 2023 for Foodservice Excellence.
Outside of work, Mendy enjoys spending time at the beach with her husband and their three daughters: Riley, Paige, and Ella. Her favorite meal is pizza.
Mendy Meriwether
Matthew Stephenson
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Matthew Stephenson is a strategic HR executive and transformational business leader with over three decades of experience spanning corporate and military environments. He offers deep expertise in talent development, operational excellence, and cultural transformation to retail organizations navigating change.
Most recently, Matthew served as Director of Learning & Development at Casey's General Stores, where he built a nationally recognized L&D function from the ground up—driving enterprise-wide leadership programs, integrating over 250 acquisitions, and delivering measurable business impact including record-breaking engagement scores and a significant boost in controllable profit.
Before Casey's, Matthew served 24 years in the U.S. Army, rising to Lieutenant Colonel and earning two Bronze Stars for combat leadership. He revitalized a failing military training institute into a nationally ranked Center of Excellence and managed multimillion-dollar budgets across global combat theaters.
Outside of work, Matthew enjoys supporting youth wrestling programs and spending time with his wife Heather and their three children: Chelsey, Reagan, and Wayne. He's a proud Iowa native.
Ken Kaufmann
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Ken Kaufmann leads NexChapter’s Loyalty practice, partnering with retailers, brands, and solution providers to build stronger customer relationships and more profitable businesses. With three decades of experience across the retail and consumer ecosystem, he brings deep expertise in driving sustainable growth through customer loyalty and experience, digital and data transformation, monetization, innovation, and strategic partnerships. Ken extends his expertise through advisory work with early-stage retail technology companies, helping design and execute go-to-market strategies and product enhancements.
Ken led customer and digital growth initiatives at Ahold USA, Rite Aid, and US Foodservice. More recently, he leveraged his retail and loyalty experience to lead the North American market entry for Untie Nots (now EagleAI), an AI-driven SaaS company based in France, and Loyalty & Reward Co, a global loyalty consultancy headquartered in Australia. Earlier in his career, Ken built his strategic, analytical, and operational foundation at A.T. Kearney within the firm’s Retail & Consumer Practice.
When not advising clients, Ken enjoys exploring emerging loyalty and retail technology trends, mentoring rising professionals (including his kids), and cooking for family and friends—often with a new recipe and a well-paired playlist.
Our Mission
We partner with our clients to listen deeply, serve with purpose, and activate bold ideas that help them reach their goals and realize their full potential.
Our Vision
We see a future where companies lead with innovation, adapt with agility, and accelerate with confidence as they thrive in a fast-changing world.
Our Values
Bold Inquiry | We challenge conventional thinking to uncover breakthrough opportunities that drive your business forward.
Strategic Velocity | We deliver excellence with the speed and agility your market demands.
Integrated Partnership | We work as an extension of your team to maximize collective impact and results.
Purposeful Clarity | We cut through complexity to create actionable strategies you can confidently execute.
Join the Team
Are you passionate about the retail industry? Do you get excited about the latest innovations in technology? Are you hardwired for strategy and a skilled thought-leader? We would love to talk to you about your next chapter with us.
Ready to move your business forward?
Let’s turn ambition into action. Connect with NexChapter to accelerate growth,
unlock opportunity, and build what’s next.