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.

The Credit Card Competition Act would bring long-overdue competition to the credit card marketplace, significantly reducing swipe fees. Here’s what you need to know—and do—to help move this effort forward.

Related Link:

Fix Swipe Fees

Hosted by:

Jeff Lenard and Chrissy Blasinsky

About our Guest:

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.

Most consumers (97%) rely on digital searches to find a business or a service. The convenience retail industry has a massive opportunity to redefine its digital identity and drive both customer traffic and sales.

Related Links:

THRIVR

Hosted by:

Jeff Lenard and Chrissy Blasinsky

About our Guest:

Lori Stillman, NACS Vice President, Research and Education

Lori joined NACS in 2019 and leads the association’s industry-leading research portfolio and education department. She has a deep background in data analytics, decision support, business development and consulting. Prior to NACS she worked at Advantage Solutions, Information Resources Inc., WEBCO General Partnership and Nielsen. Lori earned a B.A. in business communications from Maryville University.

Disaster and recovery plans helped convenience and fuels retailers in Florida affected by Hurricane Ian be among the first businesses to reopen. We’ll talk about how they prepared and about current conditions in the hardest hit areas.

Hosted by:

Jeff Lenard

About our Guest:

Ned Bowman, Executive Director, Florida Petroleum Marketers Association

Ned Bowman grew up in Connecticut in a family of seven boys and one girl, and went to college at University of New Haven, graduating in 1981 BS and EMBA 1993. While in college, he played football for three years and one of his teammates was Tony Sparano, the former Miami Dolphins head coach. He graduated 1981 and was later honored with a distinguished Alumni Award in 1997. He's been in the heating oil and fuel business for over 25 years, and founded a retail propane distributorship and has been president of a fuel oil and petroleum products distributorship and a heating and cooling contractor business.

Ned was involved with the New England Fuel Institute for over 15 years, and was on the board of directors for the Independent Connecticut Petroleum Association Educational Foundation and a board member of the Independent Connecticut Petroleum Dealers Association. He was awarded the ICPA Marketers of the year award in 2004 and joined the Florida Petroleum Marketers & Convenience Store Association as Executive Director in 2010. He has spoken in front of many industry segments including emergency fuel management. Additionally has been a member of Vistage since 2011.

Convenience store design has come a long way from the standard 40x60 box. Today, design involves many new elements, including brand strategy.

Hosted by:

Jeff Lenard

About our Guest:

Amanda Baltazar, Retail & Hospitality Journalist

Amanda is a journalist with 20+ years of experience and expertise in foodservice, beverages, restaurants/bars and overall retail. She covers everything from operations to how to staff a c-suite.

Convenience stores sell hundreds of different brands, and retailers can put a focus on these brands by pricing, placement and promotions. But what about the most important brand in your store--your brand? We discuss what you need to do to make sure your brand is top of mind with customers--and that your store offer matches that brand promise.

Related Link:

www.ab-net.us

Hosted by:

Jeff Lenard

About our Guest:

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 country.

Eric Sales, Creative Director, Abierto Networks

As creative director at Abierto, Eric leads the design team and been an integral part in developing its OPEN.Platform. A veteran in branding, content production and analytics, he works closely with customers to craft compelling brand messages and accompanying campaigns.

We're talking with a convenience retail industry icon how the end of the NACS Show is the start of a bigger strategic planning process.

Hosted by:

Jeff Lenard and Chrissy Blasinsky

About our Guest:

Jeff Miller, CEO and President, Millers Energy

Jeff is CEO and president of Millers Energy, based in Norfolk, Va. The company was founded in 1977 and is in the residential heating and air-conditioning, heating oil and property management businesses in southeastern Virginia. He entered the family business in 1981 after working for five years in the restaurant business in Washington D.C. In 2010, he was elected Chairman of the NACS and testified before Congress on behalf of the industry and represented the industry at events all over the world. In 2022, Millers exited the convenience store and wholesale fuel distribution businesses.

We're talking about pressing issues that convenience retailing industry executives are facing, and how NACS is addressing them.

Hosted by:

Jeff Lenard and Chrissy Blasinsky

About our Guest:

Henry Armour, NACS President and CEO

Henry is third president and CEO to lead NACS in its 61-year history. His tenure began in July 2005, following a long history with the association. He served two one-year terms as NACS chairman (2001-2003), as treasurer/chairman-elect and vice chairman of research and development.

Henry grew up working in his family's retail automotive and wholesale transportation businesses, Armour Oil Company, from an early age pumping gas, selling tires and polishing trucks. He managed the company's retail service stations and transportation facilities, negotiated labor contracts, oversaw the company's petroleum supply system, and handled government affairs, rising to the position of vice president and chief operating officer of the company in 1977.

In 1980, Henry joined The Standard Oil Company of Ohio, where he served as manager of development strategies. Three years later, he founded West Star Corporation, which grew to include 59 NOW! convenience stores, truck stops and quick service restaurants in the Pacific Northwest until he sold the company in 2004.

From just 8 veteran volunteers to 150,000-plus today, Team Rubicon is rebuilding global communities before, during and after disasters and crises.

Related Link:

Team Rubicon

Hosted by:

Jeff Lenard and Chrissy Blasinsky

About our Guest:

Jake Wood, Founder and Executive Chairman, Team Rubicon

Since 2010, Team Rubicon, the fastest growing and most innovative disaster response organization in the world, has responded to nearly 1,000 crises around the world and the United States. Under Wood’s leadership, Team Rubicon developed a reputation for its corporate culture and has been named one of the top nonprofits to work for in America.

Prior to Team Rubicon, Wood served as a Marine Corps scout-sniper with combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan and was a varsity football player for the Wisconsin Badgers. He is the author of "Once A Warrior," a memoir detailing his time in war and disaster zones around the world that journalist Tom Brokaw called “The book America needs right now.”

By building trust and connection, customers will make your business the logical choice when the market needs your product or services.

Related Link:

Unmarketing

Hosted by:

Jeff Lenard

About our Guest:

Scott Stratten, Founder, Partner, Speaker

Scott is best-known for the concept that is also the name of the company he founded in 2002: UnMarketing. Together, Scott and his wife Alison have taught their unconventional practices to thousands of people worldwide and are co-authors of six best-selling business “unbooks."

With billions of dollars being invested in electric vehicle charging infrastructure, what will the demand for EV chargers look like during the next 10 years?

Related Link:

Fuels Institute

Hosted by:

Jeff Lenard

About our Guest:

John Eichberger, Executive Director, Fuels Institute

John leads the Fuels Institute, a nonprofit, independent think tank founded in 2013 and managed by NACS. Prior to the Fuels Institute, he served more than 14 years at NACS as vice president of government relations and as the director of motor fuels. He oversaw advocacy operations and represented the convenience and fuel retailing industry before the media and federal government. With decades of experience, Eichberger is a recognized and go-to expert on fuels and fuel retailing.

From rural Mississippi to Key West and New Orleans, Stafford Shurden knows where to find delicious and authentic food at local gas stations in c-stores.

Related Link:

Stafford Shurden

Hosted by:

Jeff Lenard

About our Guest:

Stafford Shurden, host of "Gas Station Tailgate 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.

As the fall months approach, here's what consumers and retailers can expect from the gas, diesel and oil markets.

Hosted by:

Jeff Lenard

About our Guest:

Denton Cinquegrana, Chief Oil Analyst, OPIS

For more than a decade, Denton has covered nearly all markets where OPIS has price discovery. Prior to becoming the chief oil analyst at OPIS, he was executive editor for U.S. refined products, overseeing day-to-day market coverage operations.

Small operators like The Hub's Jared Scheeler are always on the lookout for big ideas that will transform their convenience stores.

Hosted by:

Jeff Lenard and Chris Blasinsky

About our Guest:

Jared Scheeler, CEO, The Hub Convenience Stores

Jared is the 2021-22 NACS Chairman. He began his career in the convenience industry in 1998 while attending the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, where he worked at Minneapolis-based Bobby & Steve’s Auto World. His engagement with NACS began in 2001 when he attended his first NACS Show in Las Vegas. “That’s when I fell in love with the industry,” he said in the January 2022 issue of NACS Magazine. In 2015, Scheeler co-founded The Hub in his hometown of Dickinson, North Dakota.

We're breaking down what convenience retailers need to know as they prepare for an amazing experience at this year's NACS Show in Las Vegas.

Related Links:

NACS Show

NACS Food Safety Conference

Category Management Certification Pre-Conference Workshop

Hosted by:

Chris Blasinsky

About our Guest:

Jeff McQuilkin, Director, Exhibit Sales and Services, NACS

Jeff has been with NACS since 2017 and is the director of exhibit sales for the NACS Show. He has extensive tradeshow industry experience with both for-profit and non-profit organizations. In his spare time he enjoys hiking, photography and classic cocktails. He is also considered by those who know him well to be a master Slurpee pourer.

How do you revitalize and reimagine a nearly 90-year-old family brand? Stephanie Stuckey shares the lessons she's learned during her 5-year journey at the helm of Stuckey's.

Hosted by:

Jeff Lenard

About our Guest:

Stephanie Stuckey, Chair, Stuckey’s

Stephanie is chair of Stuckey’s. She worked as a trial lawyer a state representative in Georgia and Atlanta’s director of sustainability before purchasing Stuckey’s in 2019 and assuming the role of CEO. When she’s not running Stuckey’s, she enjoys travelling by car to explore the back roads of America.

At the halfway point of 2022, NACS data is revealing operational opportunities and lingering challenges that will last throughout the year.

Related Links:

NACS State of the Industry Report of 2021 Data

NACS Research

NACS CSX Database

NACS State of the Industry Compensation Report of 2021 Data

Hosted by:

Chris Blasinsky

About our Guest:

Chris Rapanick, Director of Business Development for NACS

Chris is the director of business development for NACS and has two decades of experience in the wholesale, B2B and retail sales environment. He is a go-to expert among NACS members for analyzing and the industry's operational and financial performance and is an integral part of data collection for the NACS CSX Database and NACS State of the Industry enterprise.

How retailers can define their value amid uncertainty around elevated gas prices and record-high inflation.

Related Links:

Cenex
Cenex LIFT Initiative
NACS Magazine, "Face LIFT"

Hosted by:

Jeff Lenard

About our Guest:

Akhtar Hussain, Director of Refined Fuels Marketing, Cenex

Akhtar Hussain is the director of refined fuels marketing at Cenex, where he is responsible for brand marketing, retail development and retail imaging and equipment for Cenex, which has more than 1,500 convenience store locations across 19 states. In his more than 10 years at CHS, Hussain has held a number of roles including manager of petroleum equipment and manager of refined fuels marketing. A Minnesota native, he received his degree in marketing from Metropolitan State University.

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.

In rural areas, locals know the best meals come from gas stations. In this episode, Stafford Shurden shares his tips for finding great c-store and gas station food.

Hosted by:

Jeff Lenard

About our Guest:

Stafford Shurden, Creator, Gas Station Tailgate Review

Stafford is a restaurant owner and farmer from Drew, MS. Over the past four years, between managing his farm and restaurant, Stafford has traveled the southern United States in search of the best gas station food and filming it from the tailgate of his pickup truck. His popular show "Gas Station Tailgate Review” has amassed millions of views on social media.

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.

Scissors? Pool noodles? Find out more tips of the trade from someone who knows all about road trips.

Related Links:

Gas Station Gourmet
NACS Magazine

Hosted by:

Chris Blasinsky and Jeff Lenard

About our Guest:

Al Hebert, Founder, Gas Station Gourmet

Al knows convenience stores. He created Gas Station Gourmet in 2007 and has been writing a column for NACS Magazine since 2011 to bring the story of America’s independent convenience stores—especially those with unique foodservice—to thousands of industry leaders. He’s a news producer and reporter by trade and a frequent speaker at industry events like the NACS Show. When Al is not enjoying a great burger or fried chicken at a local convenience store, you can find him on NEWS 15 KADN in Lafayette, Louisiana.

NACS research unlocks "moment of truth" insights on convenience store shopper behaviors and their purchasing decisions.

Related Links:

Convenience Voices

Hosted by:

Chris Blasinsky

About our Guest:

Leroy Kelsey, Director of Research, NACS

Leroy works with NACS retailer and supplier members to cultivate and share industry performance benchmarks as well as operational and category metrics that support industry advocacy efforts. Prior to NACS, he worked at Intel, Motorola and Safeway in a variety of roles in business analytics, finance and cost control. Leroy has a BS in industrial engineering from North Carolina State University in Raleigh and an MBA from Johns Hopkins University.

A known brand creates awareness that attracts customers to your forecourt, entices them to shop your store and establishes it as a community gathering spot—especially in small towns.

Related Links:

Cenex
Cenex LIFT Initiative
NACS Magazine: "Face LIFT"

Hosted by:

Jeff Lenard

About our Guest:

Akhtar Hussain, Director of Refined Fuels Marketing, CENEX

Akhtar Hussain is the director of refined fuels marketing at CHS, where he is responsible for Cenex brand marketing, retail development and retail imaging and equipment for Cenex, which has more than 1,500 convenience store locations across 19 states. In his more than 10 years at CHS, Hussain has held a number of roles including manager of petroleum equipment and manager of refined fuels marketing. A Minnesota native, he received his degree in marketing from Metropolitan State University.

McKinsey experts share why employees leave their jobs, what employers think are the reasons and what it would take to keep employees from quitting.

Related Links:

McKinsey & Company

NACS Leadership Forum | NACS Magazine

How To Attract Employees

Marshfield Hills General Store

Hosted by:

Jeff Lenard

About our Guests:

Annie Valkova, Associate Partner, McKinsey & Company

Annie Valkova is an associate partner in McKinsey's Chicago office, where she focuses on serving retail clients on frontline operations and labor topics. Her areas of expertise include labor productivity, process optimization and employee recruiting and engagement. Her recent research focuses on the current labor environment and automation opportunities in retail settings. Annie has experience working in all retail formats over the past 10 years, especially small format stores including convenience, drug and fuel retail.

Alex Rodriguez, Partner, McKinsey & Company

Alex Rodriguez is a partner in McKinsey’s Miami office and a leader in McKinsey’s retail practice globally, where he focuses on transforming retail operations. He has deep expertise in frontline enablement and capability building, customer experience, change management and labor productivity. He leads all of McKinsey’s Customer Experience work, research and practitioners in North America. Alex serves retail clients across formats, especially small format stores, to reimagine the customer and employee experience, reengineer operations and design and test operating model transformations.

The bones were good at the location Pitmaster Carey Bringle chose for his latest BBQ restaurant, Bringle’s Smoking Oasis.

Related Links:

Peg Leg Porker

Bringle's Smoking Oasis

Hosted by:

Jeff Lenard and Chris Blasinsky

About our Guest:

Carey Bringle, Pitmaster and Founder of Peg Leg Porker

Bringle founded his first restaurant, Peg Leg Porker, in 2013. Peg Leg Porker is named after Bringle and his greatest win, a cancer battle that he triumphed at the age of 17. With his win, he lost his leg, which led him to create a new name and only added more fire to his passion for success. Upon opening its doors in the heart of Nashville, Peg Leg Porker was quickly named one of the hottest BBQ joints in the country by numerous media outlets. His second concept, Bringle’s Smoking Oasis, took over a former auto repair shop. The menu features smoked brisket, pulled pork, beef ribs and an array of homemade sides like Mexican Street corn, chorizo queso and Texas-style baked beans.

A convenience store with its own brewery? Yep! Chicagoland PRIDE Stores have even more innovation and excitement in the works.

Related Links:

The PRIDE Stores

93 Octane Brewery

Parent Petroleum

Ideas 2 Go: Parent Petroleum’s Brewing Success

The Big Question

Hosted by:

Jeff Lenard and Rose Johnson

About our Guest:

Mario Spina, owner and CEO, Parent Petroleum

Mario is the owner and CEO of St. Charles, Illinois-based Parent Petroleum Co., a wholesale supplier of fuel and lubricants. He also owns and operates 15 The PRIDE Stores, which feature three foodservice concepts—PRIDE Cafe, Urban Counter, and Taco Urbano—plus a wine & spirits store, along with 93 Octane, a brewery.

Retail fueling experts break down current market conditions affecting the price per gallon.

Related Links:

NACS Fuels Resource Center
Fuels Institute

Hosted by: Jeff Lenard

About our Guests:

Paige Anderson, Director of Government Relations, NACS

Paige represents NACS members before Congress and the administration on policy issues relating to fuels, energy, cyber and data security, consumer data privacy, climate change, transportation and patent reform. She joined NACS in December 2012 after spending 20 years on Capitol Hill in the office of Rep. Mary Bono Mack (CA-45) as deputy chief of staff and legislative director, and in the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. She hails from the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana and has a B.A. in political science and economics. Paige also earned an M.A. in national security studies from California State University, San Bernardino.

John Eichberger, Executive Director, Fuels Institute

John leads the Fuels Institute, a nonprofit, independent think tank founded in 2013 and managed by NACS. Prior to the Fuels Institute, he served more than 14 years at NACS as vice president of government relations and as the director of motor fuels. He oversaw advocacy operations and represented the convenience and fuel retailing industry before the media and federal government. With decades of experience, Eichberger is a recognized and go-to expert on fuels and fuel retailing.

From culture to automation, Jared Scheeler shares how his company is tackling labor challenges.

Related Links:

"Thinking Big," NACS Magazine, January 2022

Hosted by:

Jeff Lenard and Chris Blasinsky

About our Guest:

Jared Scheeler, CEO, The Hub Convenience Stores

Scheeler, who is also the 2021-22 NACS chairman, began his career in the convenience industry in 1998 while attending the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, where he worked at Minneapolis-based Bobby & Steve’s Auto World. His engagement with NACS goes back to 2001, when he attended his first NACS Show in Las Vegas. “That’s when I fell in love with the industry,” he said in the January 2022 issue of NACS Magazine. In 2015, Scheeler returned to his hometown and co-founded The Hub in Dickinson, North Dakota.

Foodservice in c-stores accounts for nearly 40% of in-store profits. We're breaking down how you can ensure that food safety remains top of mind.

Hosted by:

Jeff Lenard and Chrissy Blasinsky

About our Guest:

David McIntyre, Senior Health & Safety Specialist, EG America

David has more than 30 years of experience in culinary, retail and noncommercial/contract foodservice management environments. His team was instrumental in developing and rolling out a risk-based internal assessment of food and workplace safety standards at EG America. He currently works with the Fastrac and Cumberland Farms banners in New York and oversees a field team in the Midwest and Western regions.

Not all emissions are equal. A new study explores how energy can determine where EVs and hybrids reduce emissions. Hint: It varies considerably by region.

Related Links:

Fuels Institute

Life Cycle Analysis: Electric and Internal Combustion Engine Vehicles 

Hosted by:

Jeff Lenard and Chris Blasinsky

About our Guest:

John Eichberger, Executive Director, Fuels Institute

John Eichberger leads the Fuels Institute, a nonprofit, independent think tank founded in 2013 and managed by NACS. Prior to the Fuels Institute, he served more than 14 years at NACS as vice president of government relations and as the director of motor fuels. He oversaw advocacy operations and represented the convenience and fuel retailing industry before the media and federal government. With decades of experience, Eichberger is a recognized and go-to expert on fuels and fuel retailing.

What President Biden's address means for the convenience and fuel retailing industry.

Related Links:

Merchants Payments Coalition
NACS Advocacy 
NACS Day on the Hill

Hosted by:

Jeff Lenard and Chris Blasinsky

About our Guest:

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.

From flavored milk to supporting service dogs and veterans, Kurt Weigel shares how the 90-year-old company is just getting started.

Related Links:

Weigel's
NACS Ideas 2 Go | Weigel's
NACS HR Forum
Smoky Mountain Service Dogs

Hosted by:

Chris Blasinsky and Britt Brewer

About our Guest:

Kurt Weigel, Recruiting Manager, Weigel’s Stores Inc.

You'll find Kurt Weigel at the Powell, Tennessee-based Weigel's, handling recruitment and customer concerns and overseeing the company's annual Weigel's Family Christmas. He has been with Weigel's for nearly two decades and previously taught middle school in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Weigel's traces its roots back to 1847, when Carl Augustus Weigel emigrated from Saxony, Germany, and purchased a 470-acre farm for $1,000 in Wartburg, Tennessee. Fast-forwarding to 1964, Bill Weigel opened the first Weigel’s convenience store located on Oak Ridge Highway. Today there are 70 Weigel's stores throughout East Tennessee.