Darrin Samaha has left his role as vice president of marketing at Parker’s Kitchen and joined NexChapter, according to a Monday announcement from the c-store advisory firm.
In his new role, Samaha will support NexChapter’s expanding marketing and strategic communications initiatives. He is listed as a principal and vice president on the firm’s website.
Samaha joined Parker’s in early 2025 and developed the retailer’s marketing strategy. He also contributed to the company’s merchandising efforts, according to NexChapter’s announcement.
Before that, he worked as vice president of marketing at Yesway for nine years and as chief creative officer and founder of digital agency Blue Coda for almost 14 years.
In the announcement, NexChapter also announced three other hires.
Doug Thomason joins as director of operations. He previously spent more than three years in management and in the project management office of convenience retailer Casey’s General Stores, according to his LinkedIn bio. He also worked stints with digital agency Tallwave and marketing agencies Lavidge and Sizmek.
Jessica Bardon joins NexChapter’s loyalty and customer engagement division. In that role, she will help companies evolve their loyalty strategies and improve personalization, according to the announcement. Bardon had been marketing and public relations manager for McIntosh Energy until March, according to her LinkedIn bio. McIntosh was purchased by Ohio-based convenience store and car wash company Ridi Stores in February.
Claire Sanchez joins NexChapter’s retail and commerce media practice to help companies develop “retail media strategy, activation, partnerships, measurement, and the growing intersection of media, customer data, and AI-enabled targeting,” according to the announcement. Sanchez led partnership marketing for Leap Media Group, Giant Eagle’s retail media arm, for about two years, according to her LinkedIn bio.
“Across convenience and grocery, the industry is evolving rapidly as AI, customer data, loyalty, retail media, and commerce continue to converge,” said Art Sebastian, founder and CEO. “We’re intentionally building a team that combines operational credibility with forward-looking capabilities to help clients navigate that transformation with confidence.”
