Convenience Matters

A vehicle charging area can be more than just chargers in the parking lot corner. Consider a customer-centric experience to surprise and delight charging guests.

Hosted by: Jeff Lenard and John Eichberger

About our Guest:

Brent Gruber, Senior Director, Global Automotive at J.D. Power

Brent Gruber leads the global automotive supplier practice and the company's electric vehicle experience studies. As an industry thought leader, he represents J.D. Power within the automotive industry and consults with clients on finding research-based solutions to product and customer issues. Brent's primary focus is helping clients evolve and grow their businesses through improving products and the customer experience.

Whether privately held, publicly traded or seeking access to capital, bankers and investors are asking companies for their ESG plan. What will you show them?

Related Links:

ESG Integrity

Hosted by:

Jeff Lenard, VP Strategic Industry Initiatives, NACS

About our Guests:

Ryan Scott, Vice President, HBW Resources

Ryan Scott is Vice President for Risk Management and Sustainability Reporting for HBW Resources. The focus of Ryan's practice is to help clients understand and mitigate non-technical risks so they can focus on their core operations and competencies. Ryan works with clients to develop an ESG reporting discipline that enables them to do more than simply check the box by focusing on risk identification/mitigation key operational metrics.

Prior to his time at HBW, Ryan worked at Deloitte and Touche's Strategy and Operations Consulting practice. Serving GMAC, he conducted a bank evaluation and application process to assist its conversion from a state bank into a bank holding company, allowing the client to access crucial TARP funds during the Financial Crisis of 2008.

Ryan received a B.A. in Economics from the University of Southern California, and a JD – MBA from Case Western Reserve University in Ohio.

Jeff Hove, Vice President, Fuels Institute

Jeff Hove is the Vice President of the Fuels Institute where he assists the organization in delivering objective, fact-based analysis about the transportation energy sector, leading select research councils, representing the Institute throughout the stakeholder communities, and developing long-term strategies to enhance the overall value of the Institute to the market.

Prior to joining the Fuels Institute, Hove spent more than 20 years in the transportation sector in a variety of roles, most recently as vice president of the Alternative Fuels Council, a software-based compliance project of NATSO, the national trade association focused on travel plaza and truck stop owners. His work there focused on renewable/low carbon fuel blending and the trading of renewable fuel credits. Before launching the Alternative Fuels Council, Hove served as vice president and COO of the RINAlliance, as president of Electric Vehicle Owner Honors and vice president of the Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Stores of Iowa. He also has served as an administrator of the Iowa Underground Storage Tank Fund and the Iowa Renewable Fuels Infrastructure Board.

What's going on with gas prices? We have the answers.

Related Links:

OPIS website

NACS Blog: Why Gas Prices Are Rising When They Should Be Falling?

NACS Blog: Who Makes Money Selling Gas?

NACS Fuel Resource Center

Hosted by:

Jeff Lenard

About our Guest:

Tom Kloza, Global Head of Energy Analysis, OPIS

Tom has covered downstream oil markets for over 40 years. A magna cum laude graduate of St. Francis University, Tom has a degree in English and has analyzed crude oil, refined products, and gas liquids for parts of four decades. He has also written commentary for MarketWatch and is a regular guest commentator for Bloomberg Financial Markets and NPR Marketplace. He provides unbiased and expert commentary for print and electronic media during times of oil volatility and is regularly quoted in virtually every U.S. and international periodical on the subject.

Encouraging repeat customer business is an art form. Hear what works and what can really turn a consumer off.

Related Links:

Episode #249 Loyalty Matters. A Lot. Let's Talk Loyalty Podcast

Hosted by:

Carolyn Schnare, Director Strategic Initiatives, NACS, and Rose Johnson, Audience Development and Production Manager, NACS

About our Guest:

Paula Thomas, Host of "Let's Talk Loyalty" Podcast

Paula Thomas is an independent loyalty marketing consultant, writer and podcast host.

Paula has experience leading consumer loyalty programs across multiple sectors including telecommunications, the energy sector, banking and airline loyalty programs and published a book entitled "Driving Loyalty in Convenience Retail." Her podcast, "Let's Talk Loyalty" covers every aspect of loyalty marketing across all industries.

Consumers will embrace a brand that stands for something, cares about the community, and shares their values. Kum & Go is one convenience retail company that goes beyond leading with purpose and models its entire operation around it.

Related Links:

NACS Managing Food Waste Guide Kum & Go/Krause Group 2020 Corporate Social Responsibility Report Episode #298 Resolving Food Waste as a Business Solution

Hosted by:

Carolyn Schnare, Director Strategic Initiatives, NACS and Jeff Lenard, VP Strategic Industry Initiatives, NACS

About our Guests:

Emily Bahnsen, Philanthropy Manager, Kum & Go

Emily Bahnsen oversees Kum & Go's philanthropic giving programs, including the company's annual United Way and Habitat for Humanity campaigns, grants and in-kind donations.

In addition to her work at Kum & Go, Bahnsen is a member of the Mid-Iowa Planned Giving Council, Association of Fundraising Professionals and Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines Funders Forum. She also volunteers her time with the Young Women's Resource Center Young Empowerment Partnership board, Business Volunteer Council, and as a reading mentor for Everybody Wins Iowa.

Meg Kayko, Waste Reduction Specialist, Kum & Go

Meg Kayko oversees Kum & Go's sustainability programs for waste reduction including food donations, recycling and trash management, and more. Meg is actively involved with the NACS Sustainability Strategy Group as a valued contributor and frequent presenter.

Serving up a foodservice program that is fast, safe and delicious is important for convenience retailers. Having the technology to support it is critical.

Related Links:

Supplyit NACS Research

Hosted by:

Carolyn Schnare, Director Strategic Initiatives, NACS

About our Guests:

Jayme Gough, Research Manager, NACS

Jayme Gough is an experienced researcher and PMP at NACS with a Biochemistry degree from Bates College and a Project Management Certificate from Georgetown University School of Continuing Studies.

Greg Watson, Regional Food Service Manager, Tri Star Energy, LLC

Greg Watson is responsible for the foodservice program and implementation throughout Twice Daily's convenience stores. He has a rich history in the restaurant industry, as well.

Thomasin LaMachia, Partner, Supplyit

Thomasin LaMachia is a Partner at Supplyit/Jera Concepts. The team helps businesses manage their operations from start to finish. It's not just about the food, it's about empowering customers to tackle the challenges that come with a complex supply chain, perishable products, and hungry customers.

Convenience is about speed and choice. In this episode, we talk with innovative Founder and CEO of Choice convenience stores in Denver to hear how he has mastered food, technology and most of all, choice.

Related Links:

Choice Markets NACS Ideas 2 Go: Choice Markets For you Pfish fans Shop Talk LIVE #26 Redefining U.S. Convenience In a Digital Age – With Kwik Chek & Choice Markets

Hosted by:

Jeff Lenard and Carolyn Schnare

About our Guest:

Mike Fogarty, Founder and CEO, Choice

Mike Fogarty is the Founder and CEO of Choice Market located in downtown Denver. Choice, which opened in October 2017 is an omnichannel convenience store concept that combines the operating hours, transaction times, and store size of traditional c-store with the product selection of a natural market and fast-casual restaurant. Prior to Choice, Mike served as Senior Category Manager at Danone (Formerly WhiteWave Foods), one of the world's largest manufacturers of natural and organic products.

In this rapid-fire Q&A, hear what may affect convenience retailers in U.S. legislation and policy.

Related Links:

NACS Advocacy Issues Take Action on NACS Issues

Hosted by:

Carolyn Schnare

About our Guests:

Anna Blom, Director of Government Relations, NACS; Doug Kantor, General Counsel, NACS; Jon Taets, Director of Government Relations, NACS

In their roles at NACS, Anna Blom, Doug Kantor and Jon Taets work tirelessly to protect the best interests of the convenience and fuel retailing industry before Congress and federal government agencies — especially against rules and regulations that can have a negative impact on business.

The Biden Administration wants half a million EV charging units in the U.S. by 2030. Retailers, utilities, and other businesses are brainstorming how to make it happen on target and on budget.

Related Links:

Fuels Institute EV Council reports

Hosted by:

John Eichberger, Executive Director, Fuels Institute and Paige Anderson, Director of Government Relations, NACS

About our Guest:

Erika Myers, Acting Director of Global eMobility, World Resources Institute

Erika Myers is an electric vehicle subject matter expert at WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities. She leads the electric mobility team's research efforts and works with cities across the globe to identify opportunities to electrify transportation, including infrastructure deployment and vehicle-grid integration methods for public transit and other municipal fleets.

Erika has worked for nearly two decades on clean energy, alternative transportation fuels, and distributed energy resource topics in government, for-profit, and non-profit roles. Her background gives her a unique perspective on the opportunity to leverage renewable energy and electric vehicle charging to reduce emissions through the widespread deployment of vehicle-grid integration

Working with trusted partners and tying metrics to project outcomes is imperative to success.

Related Links:

Stuzo webpage

Hosted by:

Carolyn Schnare and Donovan Woods

About our Guest:

As Stuzo's Chief Marketing Officer, Aaron leads the company's marketing department, supports go-to-market efforts, and leads media relations, analyst relations, and product marketing. Aaron is also a serial technology entrepreneur, a lifelong musician / composer, and co-founder and former Board Member of Philly Startup Leaders.