There are many optimistic projections about EVs becoming a significant part of our transportation future, but very few account for current roadblocks.

Hosted by:

Jeff Lenard

About our Guests:

Jay Smith, Partner at Capital Results

Jay oversees the communications division at Capital Results and helps clients from all sectors of the economy achieve their policy and strategic goals.

Doug Kantor, NACS General Counsel

Doug joined NACS in May 2021 after serving as a partner at Steptoe & Johnson LLP, where he worked with the NACS government relations team to define effective policy-based solutions on issues ranging from fuels to financial services. He has established and administered coalitions of companies and trade associations that share common legislative and regulatory objectives, including the Merchants Payments Coalition and its work to reform credit and debit card swipe fees.

Hear how the global convenience retailer quickly moved to support its teams and operations in Eastern and Central Europe related to the war in Ukraine.

Related Link:

Circle K

Hosted by:

Jeff Lenard and Mark Wohltmann

About our Guest:

Niall Anderton, Senior Vice President Operations, Central Eastern Europe and Ireland (SVP CEE & Ireland), Circle K

Niall’s overall responsibility is for the Circle K business in Ireland and Central and Eastern Europe, which includes Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and Russia.

Effective marketing and communications can help convenience retailers drive customers inside the store.

Related Links:

Abierto Networks

Rutter's

Hosted by:

Jeff Lenard

About our Guests:

Rick Sales, President, Abierto Networks

Rick is founder and president of Abierto Networks, a leading digital engagement solutions provider focused on the convenience store and convenience foodservice retail industries and used in more than 4,000 locations across the United States.

Chris Hartman, Sr. Director of Fuels, Forecourt, Advertising and Construction, Rutter's

Chris grew up working in the convenience retailing industry. In 2018 he joined his family business, Rutter’s, and currently leads multiple teams including the fuels and forecourt areas. The company operates 82 convenience stores across Pennsylvania, Maryland and West Virginia, and is based in York, PA. Rutter’s is also the oldest vertically integrated food company in the United States.

The convenience retail community unites to celebrate first responders, medical and emergency professionals and Red Cross volunteers on July 24, also known as 24/7 Day.

Related Links:

24/7 Day Yesway NACS Foundation

Hosted by:

Jeff Lenard and Stephanie Sikorski

About our Guest:

Derek Gaskins, Chief Marketing Officer, Yesway

Derek has an impressive career in the convenience and fuel retailing industry. He currently heads up all marketing, merchandising and procurement efforts for the Yesway brand and develops relationships with Yesway’s supplier partners. Prior to joining Yesway, he was chief customer officer at Rutter’s and was instrumental in developing the company’s award-winning customer engagement programs. Derek was also senior vice president of marketing and merchandising with Mid-Atlantic Convenience Stores (MACS) and served as vice president of marketing at NACS. He also led brand marketing for Giant Eagle for its GetGo chain of convenience stores and launched the Fuelperks fuel rewards loyalty program. Derek holds a BBA from the University of Iowa and an MBA in Finance, Marketing, and Real Estate from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.

Industry experts break down how environment, social and governance (ESG) issues are growing and facing regulatory requirements that could have enormous implications for the fuels industry.

Related Links:

Fuels Institute

"The Case for Developing an ESG Plan"

American Council for Capital Formation

SEC Proposes to Enhance Disclosures by Certain Investment Advisers and Investment Companies About ESG Investment Practices

Hosted by:

John Eichberger and Jeff Lenard

About our Guest:

Mike Roman, Senior Fellow, Public Policy/ESG, American Council for Capital Formation

Mike has more than 40 years of global energy industry experience. In addition to his current work at the American Council for Capital Formation, he is the founder of the consultancy CertainPoint Strategies LLC and serves as a member of the Fuels Institute Board of Advisors.

From salty to sweet, indulgent or healthy, here's how convenience stores satisfy their customers' cravings for snacks.

Related Links:

NACS State of the Industry Report of 2021 Data Convenience Voices NACS Magazine

Hosted by:

Chris Blasinsky and Jeff Lenard

About our Guest:

Tim Young

Tim is an experienced category manager within the convenience retail channel who also uses social media to share stories about brands. He spoke at the 2022 NACS State of the Industry Summit on the candy and snacks categories.

Charlie McIlvaine of Coen Markets takes us on a deep dive into the convenience retail industry's financial and operational performance data.

Related Links:

Coen

NACS Research

Hosted by:

Chris Blasinsky and Jeff Lenard

About our Guest:

Charlie McIlvaine, Chairman and CEO, Coen Markets Inc.

Charlie and his brother, Andy, manage the Coen Markets, Coen Energy, Coen Tire, and Coen Transport in the Pittsburgh region. Charlie is also managing partner of Thomaston Capital LLC, a private investment firm that invests in growth or later stage companies primarily in the consumer/retail sector. He holds an MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, attended New College of Oxford University, and earned a BA in economics from Duke University.

How a convenience store food favorite inspired a song and a YouTube channel.

Related Links:

Tailgate Gas Station Review

"Gas Station Chicken" by The Nighthawks

Hosted by:

Jeff Lenard

About our Guests:

Stafford Shurden, Host of “Tailgate Gas Station Review”

Stafford is a farmer, restaurant owner and former justice court judge. In between farming and cooking, he tours the south giving inspirational speeches and reviewing gas station food.

Mark Stutso, Musician

Mark is the drummer for The Nighthawks, which has been called “the best bar band in the world.” Originally from West Virginia, he put in five years in the coal mines before escaping into his drum kit for the past four decades.

Convenience stores are getting ready to be road trip destinations for 34.9 million travelers this summer.

Related Links:

AAA Newsroom AAA Gas Prices

Hosted by:

Jeff Lenard and Chris Blasinsky

About our Guest:

Andrew Gross, National Public Relations Manager, AAA

Andrew manages media relations for AAA’s Foundation for Traffic Safety and Public Affairs, including communications and PR campaigns. He joined AAA in January 2020 after a three-decade career in journalism, most of which as a multiple Emmy-winning producer for NBC News in Washington, DC. While with NBC, Andrew covered a wide range of topics, including the economy, war, terrorism, politics, and breaking news. Before NBC, he worked at ABC News and the Tampa Tribune. Andrew holds a Master’s degree in Journalism from the University of Michigan and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Grinnell College. Andrew lives in Arlington, Virginia, and works in Washington, DC.

Stephanie Stuckey is on a mission to revive the Stuckey’s brand and experience for road trippers.

Related Links:

Stuckey's

NACS Magazine | "Roadside Revival"

Hosted by:

Jeff Lenard

About our Guest:

Stephanie Stuckey, CEO, Stuckey’s Corp

Stuckey's is a roadside chain and family-owned business headquartered in Eastman, Georgia, that has proudly sold pecan log rolls and rubber alligators to highway travelers since 1937. Prior to taking over the company a few years ago, Stephanie served 14 years in the Georgia General Assembly House of Representatives.