Prior to joining ARA, Mr. McCown held a variety of roles which included:

• Vice President, Convenience Retail, Coca-Cola Enterprises (CCE)

• Vice President, South Louisiana, Coca-Cola Enterprises (CCE)

• Director, Franchise Leadership, Coca-Cola North America (CCNA)

• Vice President/General Manager, East Business Unit, Monster Energy Company (MEC)

• Vice President, Coca-Cola System, Presence from Innovation

Mr. McCown brings over three decades of experience in the consumer beverage industry to ARA. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Belhaven University and course work towards his MBA in Marketing from the University of Mississippi.

Steve McCown

Chief Executive Officer

Steve McCown

Chief Executive Officer

In mid-2018, Ameena began her career as an Office Administrative Assistant at the National Alliance of Trade Associations(NATA). At ARA Ameena provides executive support to the Board of Directors in day to day meetings and is the liaison between the Board of Directors and Staff. 

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Ameena’s hobbies include cooking different types of cuisine using different cooking techniques, keeping up to date on current affairs, reading and traveling. Ameena lives with her husband, Imran Ali in Lawrenceville, GA.

Ameena Lakhani

Executive Assistant to the Board of Directors at the Atlanta Retailers Association (ARA)

Ameena Lakhani

Executive Assistant

COMING SOON

Salima Merchant

Accounting Support

Salima Merchant

Accounting Support

COMING SOON

Kashif Javaid

Member Support Representative

Kashif Javaid

Member Support Representative

COMING SOON

Ramzanali Pirani

Member Support Representative 

Ramzanali Pirani

Member Support Representative

COMING SOON

MD Faruk

Member Support Representative 

MD Faruk

Member Support Representative

COMING SOON

Karam Jivani

IT Support Intern

Karam Jivani

IT Support Intern

COMING SOON

Izzat Mote

Financial Accountant

Izzat Mote

Financial Accountant

Supporting a team of five MSRs (Member Support Representatives) from planning, execution, data collection, and member support at ARA. 

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With over 10 years in the Consumer Packaged Goods industry, Gerardo worked with Mars Chocolate Division in the Walmart account. Later as  Convenience Trade Manager for Keurig Dr. Pepper. Most recently, before joining ARA, Gerardo worked 5 years for Pepsico. 

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Gerado hobbies include enjoy spending time with family, cooking, traveling, and playing/watching golf. 

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Gerardo holds a degree in Business Administration. He is a son of Italian parents. He is also a proud father of a Marine son and 2 more children attending college.

Gerado Olivo

Field Operations Manager

Gerardo Olivo

Field Operations Manager

Nabeel started working with ARA in 2013. He advanced to the positions of Administrative Assistant, Member Support Representatives Support Manager, Vendor Relations Committee Executive, Building Support, and Board of Advisors Executive. Nabeel works with major vendors distributing and more than 50 vendors for grievances and store programs. 

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He is responsible for building a trusting and honest relationship during each member interaction, both inside and outside of the Association. 

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Nabeel’s hobbies include watching and cheering on all his home-grown teams. Nabeel lives with his family, father Zain, mother Ashraf and younger sister Safura in Duluth, GA. 

Nabeel Bana

Member Relations Specialist

Nabeel Bana

Member Relations Specialist

COMING SOON

Justin Johnson

Member Support Representative

Justin Johnson

Member Support Representative

COMING SOON

Aamir Fayyaz

Member Support Representative 

Aamir Fayyaz

Member Support Representative

COMING SOON

Renish Saleembhai

Digital Media Solutions Specialist

Renish Saleembhai

Digital Media Solutions Specialist