Admiral William H. McRaven is a retired U.S. Navy Four-Star admiral and the former Chancellor of the University of Texas System. During his time in the military, he commanded special operations forces at every level, eventually taking charge of the U.S. Special Operations Command. His career included combat during Desert Storm and both the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. He commanded the troops that captured Saddam Hussein and rescued Captain Phillips. McRaven is also credited with developing the plan and leading the Osama bin Laden mission in 2011. As the Chancellor of the UT System, he led one of the nation’s largest and most respected systems of higher education. 

Greg Ferrara, President and CEO, NGA and Richie Morgan, Executive Chairman of North State Grocery, Inc., and incoming chairman of NGA, reflect on a year of progress, highlighting key accomplishments such as advocacy wins, enhanced member resources, and industry-leading initiatives. Looking forward, they will share their vision for the future of NGA, emphasizing collaboration, resilience, and growth opportunities for independent retailers.