Convenience Matters – Details, episodes & analysis

Before the AMBER Alert system, there was the Milk Carton Kids campaign in the 1980s. Today, technology is further enhancing the search for missing children—and retailers can help.

Hosted by:

Jeff Lenard

About our Guest:

Gavin Portnoy, Vice President, Communications & Brand, National Center for Missing & Exploited Children

Gavin builds strategies to elevate NCMEC’s brand, which include creating new partnerships, bolstering existing relationships and working positively and efficiently with NCMEC’s departments and stakeholders to support programs and goals. He joined NCMEC in 2014 after more than 15 years helping organizations build brand awareness and effectively tell their story using the latest business, digital, social and media channels.

A recent poll suggests that public confidence regarding food safety is eroding. To better connect with their customers, companies can do more to communicate their policies and procedures.

Hosted by:

Jeff Lenard and Chrissy Blasinsky

About our Guest:

Benjamin Chapman, Professor, Food Safety Extension Specialist at North Carolina State University

Through reality-based research, Ben investigates behaviors and creates interventions aimed at amateur and professional food handlers, managers and organizational decision-makers. He co-hosts the podcasts “Food Safety Talk” and “Risky or Not” and further engages folks online through Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Pinterest.

We're breaking down two of the biggest questions fuel retailers have faced in decades: Will installing EV chargers be good for my business, and how do I launch a program?

Hosted by:

Jeff Lenard

About our Guest:

Karl Doenges, Executive Director, Charging Analytics Program

Karl represents NACS on the coming disruption in mobility and how that affects convenience retailers. In this role, Karl focuses on the NACS EV charging infrastructure program, monitoring and engaging the EV industry and the Fuels Institute Electric Vehicle Council.

Although ESG reporting is voluntary, that is poised to shift. And it’s not just for the publicly traded retailers—privately held retailers also could be affected by proposed ESG policies.

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.

Industry icon Rick Brindle shares what he's learned and what he's looking forward to as a new chapter begins on his 46-year retail industry career.

Hosted by:

Jeff Lenard and Chrissy Blasinsky

About our Guest:

Rick Brindle, Vice President of Industry Development, Mondelēz International

Rick Brindle has a long track record of breakthrough success in the in the food and beverage consumer product goods and retailing sectors, including serving at Safeway Stores, Proctor & Gamble, Nabisco, Kraft and, most recently, Mondelēz International. He has been active at NACS serving as 2020-21 NACS Supplier Board chairman and has received numerous honors, including induction in the Candy Hall of Fame.

Spirits-based ready-to-drink cocktails have exploded in popularity over the last few years. Outdated laws keep convenience stores in many states from selling these products. In states like Texas, retailers are fighting for change.

Hosted by:

Jeff Lenard

About our Guests:

Paul Hardin, President & CEO, Texas Food & Fuel Association

Paul Hardin, CAE, is president & CEO of Texas Food & Fuel Association. A 30-year veteran in association management, Hardin previously served as executive director and CEO of the Texas Physical Therapy Association and has led non-dues revenue programs for the country’s largest state hospital and medical associations. He also is a former staff member of the Texas Grocery & Convenience Association, which merged with the Texas Petroleum Marketers & Convenience Store Association in 2012, forming what is known today as the Texas Food & Fuel Association.

Chris Swonger, President & CEO, Distilled Spirits Council of the United States

Chris Swonger is president & CEO of the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS), the spirits industry’s top advocate in the nation’s capital, state capitals and foreign capitals around the globe. He also is the president & CEO of Responsibility.org, a national nonprofit funded by leading distillers to fight drunk driving and underage drinking, and promote responsible decisions about beverage alcohol.

TXB has done much more than rebrand a previous store concept: It’s redefined the concept of convenience. Stores have a focus on fresh, local food and its local roots. After all, it’s Texas born.

Related Link:

TXB Stores Inc.

Hosted by:

Jeff Lenard

About our Guests:

Kevin Smartt, CEO, TXB Stores Inc.

Kevin is CEO of TXB Stores, formerly known as Kwik Chek Food Stores, a chain of approximately 50 locations across Texas and Oklahoma. He is a current member of the NACS Executive Committee and served as 2020-21 NACS chairman. He also served as chairman of Conexxus.

Anna Felz, Director of Brand Management, TXB Stores Inc.

Anna has been at TXB since 2019 and oversees all elements of brand management for the company. She previously served as marketing director for Sprint Food Stores, based in Augusta, GA, and was the senior marketing executive for Ocozzio marketing firm, also based in Augusta. Anna earned a degree in public relations and communications from the University of Georgia’s Grady College of Journalism & Mass Communication. She also serves as a group fitness and yoga instructor.

From hand washing to why you should never rinse raw poultry during food prep, we're breaking down some of the biggest safe food handling risks that may be happening in your stores.

Related Links:

Food Safety Talk

Risky or Not

Safe Plates

Hosted by:

Chrissy Blasinsky

About our Guest:

Benjamin Chapman, Professor, Food Safety Extension Specialist North Carolina State University

Chapman’s interest in pathogens and public health began as a teenager while watching the movie “Outbreak.” With the goal of less foodborne illness, his group designs, implements, and evaluates food safety strategies, messages, and media from farm-to-fork. Through reality-based research, Chapman investigates behaviors and creates interventions aimed at amateur and professional food handlers, managers, and organizational decision-makers, the gatekeepers of safe food. Chapman co-hosts a bi-weekly podcast Food Safety Talk with Dr. Don Schaffner of Rutgers University, as well as a podcast called Risky or Not.

Two-store operator Anthony Perrine shares ideas he's implemented at his family's company, Lou Perrine’s Gas & Groceries, that go well beyond traditional c-store retail: part bakery, coffee shop, apparel store, neighborhood hangout and a lot of fun.

Hosted by:

Britt Brewer and Chrissy Blasinsky

About our Guest:

Anthony Perrine, Owner, Lou Perrine’s Gas & Groceries

Lou Perrine's Gas & Groceries is a family-run company with two convenience stores located in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Started by Grandpa Lou in 1954, it has been a family affair for nearly 70 years. Anthony is active with NACS and serves on the NACSPAC Committee, speaks at local schools including the UW-Milwaukee Business School, and is an active member of the Wisconsin Petroleum Marketers & Convenience Store Association.

Loss prevention and security concerns have become a big concern in 2022. What can convenience retailers do to ensure that their stores remain welcoming to customers and uninviting to criminals?

Hosted by:

Jeff Lenard

About our Guest:

Amber Bradley, Founder and Owner, Calibration Group

Amber has been in the loss prevention industry for more than 15 years. She currently serves as executive director for the Restaurant Loss Prevention and Security Association (RLPSA), hosts the popular podcast TalkLP.com and is a contributing editor for the D&D Daily, a daily e-news outlet focused on retail loss prevention, safety and security. She also is the founder and owner of the Calibration Group LLC and is a brand-positioning expert with extensive experience across multiple business disciplines, including marketing and public relations.