Convenience Matters

Today’s workforce is feeling less inspired than ever before. With only 21% of employees actually engaged with their work, we're exploring why people have checked out mentally on the job. Related Links: ADDO Hosted by: Jeff Lenard and Chrissy Blasinsky About our Guests: Kevin Paul Scott, Co-Founder, ADDO Worldwide Kevin co-founded the leadership consultancy ADDO, which is Latin for "Inspire." For multiple years, ADDO was the #1 Small Business on the Best Places to Work list in Atlanta. He and his team at ADDO have helped organizations like Chick-fil-A and Coca-Cola fuel success by leveraging the three indispensable ingredients of inspiration.

If it powers a vehicle, the Fuels Institute researches it, reports on it and gives the facts to industry stakeholders, including legislators. Hear how the Fuels Institute has changed the transportation fuels narrative during the past decade. Related Links: 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.

Whether customers come to Wakepoint LBJ by car or boat, this convenience store is a destination for enjoying live music, festivals or Sunday gospel services. Related Links: Ideas 2 Go: Wakepoint LBJ Hosted by: Jeff Lenard  About our Guests: Scott Westlund, Owner, Wakepoint LBJ Scott is the owner of Wakepoint LBJ, a sprawling business operation on Lake LBJ that includes two convenience stores, foodservice and fueling—among other offers. He also is a managing partner and accredited personal injury attorney at Ketterman Rowland & Westlund, known as KRW Lawyers throughout Texas. Jody Bowers, CFO, Wakepoint LBJ In addition to serving as chief financial officer of Wakepoint LBJ, Jody also is president of Axiom Business Advisors LLC, which helps clients develop and manage their business or real estate project.

Each year the annual State of the Union address sets the stage for the next Congress. From electric vehicles to "junk" taxes, President Biden laid out his agenda. How will it affect convenience stores? Hosted by: Jeff Lenard and Chrissy Blasinsky About our Guest: Doug Kantor, General Counsel, NACS 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.

Store managers have a significant impact on hiring and retaining great people. Hear how one retailer is coaching her team so they can be at their best. Hosted by: Jeff Lenard and Chris Blasinsky About our Guest: Annie Gauthier, CFO/Co-CEO of St. Romain Oil Company Annie is CFO/Co-CEO of St. Romain Oil Company (dba Y-Not Stop), based in Mansura, Louisiana. A third-generation co-owner, she works with her two brothers and 300-plus team members to refuel and refresh the Louisiana communities where they operate.

As we kick off 2023, we're looking at emerging retail and consumer trends and ideas that convenience stores can take advantage of. Hosted by: Jeff Lenard About our Guests: Anne-Marie Roerink, Principal, 210 Analytics LLC Anne-Marie is principal and founder of 210 Analytics, where she specializes in quantitative and qualitative market research. She previously held research positions with the Food Marketing Institute, Green Charge Network and the American Society of Travel Agents.

Human trafficking happens every day and affects every community in the United States. More than 30,000 convenience stores have taken on this issue in their stores. Here's how you can join them and make a difference in your community. Related Links: Convenience Stores Against Trafficking Hosted by: Jeff Lenard About our Guest: Cheryl Csiky, Executive Director, IN OUR BACKYARD Cheryl has been a leader in the fight against human trafficking since 2011. She is the executive director of IN OUR BACKYARD, a national anti-trafficking nonprofit that links arms across America in the fight against human trafficking. The group’s initiative, Convenience Stores Against Trafficking, has expanded to 30,000 convenience stores and partnerships with 17 state-based convenience store associations and 184 convenience store companies.

Roughly one third of all ATMs in the United States are in convenience stores. Although ATMs offer easy access to cash and financial transactions, they can be an easy target for criminals. We're discussing how you can grow and protect your business. Hosted by: Jeff Lenard About our Guest: David Tente, Executive Director, USA, Canada & Americas, ATMIA (the ATM Industry Association) David serves as the ATM industry’s evangelist. He has spent the past three decades in the industry and now leads the ATMIA’s largest region, overseeing all aspects related to membership, content creation and advocacy. David also serves as president of the ATM Security Association, where his responsibilities include engaging with law enforcement and coordinating the maintenance and population of its global crime database: the Crisis & Crime Management Intelligence System (CCMIS).

2022 saw gas prices top $5 and dip to under $3, driven by some factors that are still affecting the market. This year's transportation trends are lining up to affect the car you drive, how you use it and how you refuel (or recharge) it. 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.

Aaron McHugh sought balance, but instead felt defeated, more stressed and more burdened. Hear how he found a way for adventure, work, life, play, relationships, rest and finances to co-exist. Related Link: Aaron McHugh Hosted by: Chrissy Blasinsky and Jeff Lenard About our Guest: Aaron McHugh, Executive Coach & Senior Affiliate Advisor to McKinsey/Aberkyn Aaron is an executive coach, writer, podcaster, adventurer and author of the best-selling book, "Fire Your Boss: Discover Work You Love Without Quitting Your Job." He works globally as a senior affiliate advisor to McKinsey & Co. He is mastering the art of living sustainable rhythms of work life and play.

7-Eleven's Evolution stores are a testing ground that allows customers to experience the retailer’s newest innovations and products—and they are redefining the concept of convenience. Hosted by: Jeff Lenard About our Guest: Molly Long, Vice President of Store Evolution & Design, 7-Eleven Inc. Molly is responsible for all design-related activities associated with both the physical store as well as the customer experience inside of 7-Eleven, including new stores, remodels, platform innovation, and new store formats. She has a strong track record for leading transformational change inside the company. She founded the Store Evolution Team to transform the customer experience through laboratory stores, which are now influencing the designs and platforms for all new stores and remodel standards.

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

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 &

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.