An invitation-only group comprising of convenience retail executives – recognized leaders driving industry innovation and excellence.
WHAT
Strategic Forum
CLVG hosts quarterly virtual meetings fostering networking and thought leadership on strategic issues impacting convenience and mobility retailing.
WHY
Knowledge Sharing
Members engage in discussions on emerging trends, with meeting transcripts and insights shared through free CLVG Vision Reports.
Convenience Leaders Vision Group
Helping retailers maximize opportunities
Convenience Leaders Vision Group (CLVG) was established in 2022 with the mission to assist convenience/mobility retailers and suppliers optimize their opportunities.
Bringing industry leaders together in virtual forums, CLVG addresses pressing industry issues and shares these conversations with the public through free CLVG Vision Reports.
What we are passionate about
CLVG delves into various topics including:
Artificial Intelligence
Retail Analytics
Employee Recruitment and Retention
Understanding the Customer
EV Charging
Predictive Fuel Pricing
Meet Convenience Leaders Vision Group
Hal Adams, Former Director OXXO USA
Throughout Hal’s 40 year career in the convenience and fuel retailing sector he has had Significant experience in all aspects of developing and operating best in class retailn organizations. Having started his retail career on the graveyard shift in a Stop n Go store in Ventura, California and subsequently assigned to various store and field management positions, he has kept an operator’s perspective throughout the years. After serving as the Chief Marketing Officer for Valero Energy’s retail holding company, he was key to taking that group to the public market in the spin to CST Brands and serving as President, Retail. Hal subsequently served as CEO for MAPCO Express. Hal earned a BA degree in Business Economics at the University of California, Santa Barbara and an MBA with a concentration in Leadership at the University of Texas, San Antonio. He also completed the Stanford Executive Program at the Graduate School of Business of Stanford University.
He lives with his wife, Carolyn in San Antonio, Texas. Hal and Carolyn have two adult children and two granddogs, but are looking forward to being grandparents (to a human) for the first time this spring.
Laura Griffith Aufleger was born and raised in Stillwater. Laura started working in OnCue stores at 15. Laura graduated with a journalism degree from the University of Oklahoma with an emphasis in advertising and a Spanish Minor. Prior to returning to OnCue, she was a Vice President at Direct Development, a commercial real estate development company in Dallas. She also worked for Ackerman McQueen in OKC and The Richards Group in Dallas.
In recognition of her hard work locally and in the industry, Laura has received the Top Women in Convenience Award, the Journal Record’s Achievers Under 40, Convenience Store Decisions 40 Under 40 Leaders to Watch and more. She is also a graduate of Leadership Oklahoma Class 34 and a member of the OKC chapter of the Young Presidents’ Organization.
Laura's generosity and compassion for others has ushered OnCue into a new era of community engagement. In December of 2022, Laura led the way for OnCue’s record-breaking $1 million dollar donation to the Stillwater Medical Foundation. The funds brought to life the OnCue Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in Stillwater, which now provides critical care for newborns while helping families stay closer to home.
Laura is an advocate for Big Brothers Big Sisters, serving as a mentor for over a decade in the Stillwater, Norman, and Dallas communities, and served on the governing board for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Oklahoma. Laura currently serves on the Stillwater Medical Foundation Board of Directors. Laura is extremely active in her local schools, including being a member of the PTO and Homeroom Parent. Laura is also an active member of the National Association of Convenience Stores as well as the Pi Beta Phi Alumni Association, the OU Alumni Association, and Life Church Stillwater.
Annie Gauthier is the CFO/Co-CEO at St. Romain Oil Company in Mansura, Louisiana. She is responsible for the company's finance and accounting, risk management, HR and strategic and culture development. A third-generation co-owner, she works with her 2 brothers, 2 uncles, 2 aunts, and 350 other team members to refuel & refresh the Louisiana communities where they operate.
Annie earned her BA in British history at LSU, then discovered that law school was not for her. She worked for the Louisiana Oil Marketers & Convenience Store Association (LOMCSA) for 3 years before joining the family business in 2005. She has served in various leadership roles with LOMCSA, culminating with President in 2017. Annie is also a founding member of Corporate Works of Mercy Foundation, a private 501(c)3 focused on helping neighbors in need by living the biblical corporal works of mercy. Her purpose is to chart tomorrow's course from yesterday's lessons.
Married to her high school sweetheart, Adam, and mother to 3 young children, Samuel, Ellen and Henry, Annie lives in her small hometown of Mansura. She enjoys cooking, reading, traveling and planning trips (especially to Britain, Ireland and France).
Highly experienced international business leader, CEO, Chairman and Board Level Senior Executive. A proven track record in driving outstanding performance for both turnaround and growth strategies within complex and high-paced organizations.
Strategic leader and entrepreneur with a successful background in building and leading top performing teams focused on exceeding goals in the key areas of sales, marketing and sector/product development.
Joe Hamza is a seasoned convenience and fuel retail executive with over 30 years of leadership experience. He currently serves as Chief Operating Officer at Nouria Energy, where he has been instrumental in driving the company’s multi-regional expansion, operational excellence, and brand evolution since joining in 2015. Under his leadership, Nouria has emerged as one of the most recognized and respected brands in the industry, known for its customer experience, innovation, and people-first culture.
Before joining Nouria, Joe was Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Tedeschi Food Shops. There, he led the company’s retail and foodservice divisions and spearheaded innovative sales and branding strategies that helped position the brand as a regional leader. Joe’s influence in the industry extends beyond his executive roles. He has contributed to a wide range of industry and non-industry publications and is a frequent speaker at NACS events and government forums on key issues impacting the convenience, fuel, and foodservice sectors. He previously chaired the Education Committee for NACS and has served in advisory roles with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), NACS-United Fresh, and Kraft Foods. He currently serves on the Boards of Directors for the New England Convenience Store & Energy Marketer Association (NECSEMA) and the National Advisory Group (NAG), where he continues to advocate for the advancement of the convenience and energy sectors.
Scott is President/CEO of Rutter’s Holdings, operating 82 Rutter’s convenience stores in Pennsylvania, Maryland and West Virginia; Rutter’s Dairy, selling products in five states; and M&G Realty a commercial real estate holding company. Rutter’s is the oldest vertically integrated food company in the U.S. dating back 11 generations, 275 years to 1747. In 2022, Rutter’s was listed as the 77th largest convenience store chain in the US. Rutter’s convenience stores celebrated 50 years in convenience in 2018 and the dairy celebrated 100 years in business in 2021. Rutter’s was recently listed as the second largest privately held company in Central Pennsylvania.
Scott started in the family business at the age of 12 working summers. He received his Accounting Degree from George Washington University and MBA from Duke University. He was employed by Price Waterhouse as Senior Manager in Consulting from 1983-1990 and is a CPA.
Scott is past Chairman of National Association of Convenience Stores, Petroleum Convenience Association for Technology Standards, the Pennsylvania Convenience Store Council and Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association. Scott has served on Advisory Boards to companies including Coca-Cola and PepsiCo. He has served on many local charity boards including York Memorial Hospital, The American Red Cross and Easter Seals. Scott has also been a guest lecturer at Boston University and national & international presenter at numerous food industry conferences.
Scott has been inducted into the Convenience Store Hall of Fame, Food Industry Hall of Fame, Convenience Store Technology Hall of Fame and Candy Hall of Fame. In 2019, he was also recognized by Convenience Store News as “One of the 50 Most Influential People in C-Store History”. In 2015, Scott was awarded the AJC National Human Relations Award.
Rutter’s is the only U.S. based convenience store chain to win the coveted International Convenience Retailer of the Year awarded in London each year. Rutter’s has also been the U.S. chain of the year, has been the industry Food Innovator of the Year winner 3 of the last 10 years, was ranked one of the 500 best mid-sized employers to work for by Forbes in 2021, has ranked #1, #1, #3, #2, #1 nationally for customer mystery shop experience the last 5 years by an independent survey company and was ranked the #4 gasoline brand in the U.S. in 2022 by the USA Today customer poll.
Scott resides in York, Pennsylvania with his wife, Cathy, and has two adult children, Sara who teaches public school in Brooklyn, NY and Christopher, who is Sr. Director of Fuels and Forecourt at Rutter’s.
Scott loves playing golf and has played 131 of Golf Magazine’s Top 100 Courses in the World. There are 204 courses that have ever been listed on the Golf Magazine list. He and his son, Chris, have played 122 of the top 100 courses together and 91 from the 2009 list. No parent/child has ever played one of the year’s list together.
Mark Hawthorne, Chief Innovation and Strategy Officer Upshop
Mark is a senior food retail executive with nearly 20 years of experience at Safeway and Albertsons Companies, where he helped build enterprise capabilities across pricing, promotions, merchandising, loyalty, and shopper analytics.
He later served as a Partner at Nsight, advising grocery retailers and food retail technology providers on market strategy, operating models, and technology investments that deliver measurable results.
Mark is now Chief Innovation and Strategy Officer at Upshop, leading market strategy, growth, and value realization. He works closely with retail executives to support long-term planning and ensure technology investments translate into real business outcomes.
James is a 20+ year veteran of the petroleum and convenience store industry. In his career James has managed convenience stores, worked for NACS, the global trade association representing the industry, and for the last 13 years has led product management and marketing for the petroleum and convenience store vertical inside of Verifone.
Don McKenzie is a seasoned chief executive and board member with a track record of building, transforming, and scaling marketing and communications businesses through organic growth, operational improvement, and strategic acquisitions. His leadership experience spans privately held, private-equity-backed, and public companies, with a consistent focus on value creation, technology-enabled transformation, and talent development.
Don currently serves as Chief Executive Officer and Board Member of The Imagine Group, a national provider of visual communications, print production, and experiential marketing solutions serving the retail, convenience store, grocery, QSR and entertainment industries. Under his leadership, the company has focused on operational excellence, technology-driven capabilities, and strategic growth initiatives designed to strengthen market leadership and long-term enterprise value.
In addition to his executive role, Don serves on the Board of Directors of OSG Connect, a leader in Customer Communications Management, where he contributes expertise in corporate strategy, industry transformation, and growth initiatives.
Throughout his career, Don has held senior leadership roles at several prominent organizations, including President & Chief Growth Officer of Innovairre, and previously President and CEO of SourceLink, Direct Group, Petsky Prunier, CC3, and SuperCoups. In these roles he led large-scale business transformations, executed acquisition and integration strategies, and drove sustained operational and revenue growth.
Don has also advised leading organizations and investors on strategy and competitiveness. His advisory experience includes service on the Competitiveness Council at Cerberus Capital Management, as well as advisory roles with HomeValet and Azimuth GRC.
An active contributor to the marketing and communications industry, Don previously served two terms as Vice Chairman of the Direct Marketing Association, the world’s largest trade association supporting nonprofit and commercial direct marketers. He is also a frequent speaker at domestic and international conferences on topics including M&A strategy, data-driven marketing, leadership during transformation, and integrated communications.
Drayton McLane Jr., Businessman, Philanthropist McLane Group
DRAYTON MCLANE, JR. serves as chairman of the McLane Group and is the former CEO of the Houston Astros Baseball Club. A native Texan, this acclaimed businessman, leader, and generous philanthropist, ensures the focus of all his endeavors are based upon strong Christian values and moral ethics.
The grandson of a successful entrepreneur, Drayton experienced firsthand the hard work and dedication it takes to successfully thrive in industry. He began developing his tireless work ethic at age nine by working for his father at the family’s wholesale grocery business, the McLane Company. Mr. McLane received his Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Baylor University in 1958 and his Master of Business Administration degree from Michigan State University in 1959. Upon completion of his formal education, Drayton came back to begin working at the family business loading trucks on the second shift. He worked his way up and by earning the respect and admiration of his co-workers, he became president and CEO of the company in 1964 and held these positions for thirty years.
During his tenure, he propelled the McLane Company into a nineteen billion dollar company, achieving an average growth rate of thirty percent per year. Following the McLane Company’s merger with Wal-Mart, Inc. in 1990, he became vice-chairman of Wal-Mart while maintaining his position at the McLane Company. After playing key roles in each of these companies’ growth and productivity, he resigned in order to devote more time to the McLane Group, a parent company consisting of family owned companies operating throughout the world, which until November of 2011 included the Houston Astros where he served as Chairman and CEO. Drayton McLane completed his nineteenth season with the Astros in 2011 when he sold the team. Over the years, their philosophy remained consistent – bring home a World Series championship to Houston and make a positive difference in the community. They were unable to bring home a championship, but they were the first Texas team to make it to the World Series and they also made a very positive difference in the community.
Current Activities:
George and Barbara Bush Foundation Trustee 2017 (George H.W. Bush Presidential Library Foundation)
Board of Trustees, Baylor Scott & White Healthcare (2013 – present)
Baylor Scott & White Assurance Board
Member, National Board of Governors, Cooper Institute for Aerobics Research
Advisory Board, The Bush School of Government & Public Service - Texas A&M University
Board of Trustees, Baylor College of Medicine (Emeritus)
Board of Visitors, The University Cancer Foundation, M.D. Anderson
MD Anderson Cancer Prevention Committee - 2021
Past Activities:
Board Director, Happy State Bank
Chairman, Texas Economic Development Corporation (TxEDC) 2019 – 2021
Chairman, Texas Central Partners (High Speed Rail) 2017 - 2021
Baylor University Board of Regents, Chairman Emeritus 2010 to 2020
Chairman, Board of Trustees, Baylor Scott & White Healthcare
Chairman, Scott & White Healthcare Board of Trustees
Chairman of the Board, Temple Chamber of Commerce, 1978
President, Baylor University Development Council, 1981
Chairman, United Way Campaign, Temple, Texas, 1983-1984
Member Texas State Board, Mental Health and Mental Retardation, 1985-1989
Chairman, United Way, Temple, Texas, 1987
Trustee, Baylor University, 1988-1990
Member, Baylor Board of Regents, 1991-2006
Honorary Campaign Chairman, United Way, Temple, Texas, 1991
Anti-Defamation League of B’nai B’rith Food Distributor, Man of the Year, New York City, 1990
Baylor University, W.R. White Meritorious Service Award, 1991
Texas Business Hall of Fame Foundation Honoree, 1992
Texas A&M University, College of Business Administration and Graduate School of Business, Master Entrepreneur of the Year, 1993
Michigan State University, Honorary Doctorate Degree, 1997
American Academy of Achievement – Golden Plate Award, 1997
Distributors International Herbert Hoover Food Industry Award, 1998
Houston Community Partners, Father of the Year Award, 2000
Boy Scouts of America Silver Buffalo Award Recipient, 2004
NASA’s Public Service Award, 2005
The International Society of Logistics (SOLE) Field Award for Supply Chain Mgmt, 2006
Woodrow Wilson Award for Public Service, 2008
University of St. Thomas, Ethical Leadership Award, 2008
Dallas Baptist University, Russell H. Perry Free Enterprise Award, 2008
Baylor University Regent Emeritus, 2010
Austin College, Honorary Doctorate Degree, 2011
Texas Transportation Hall of Honor Inductee, 2011
Central Texas Association of Fundraising Professional's Lifetime Achievement Award, 2012
Baylor University Founders Award, 2013
Mirabeau B. Lamar Award – For Higher Education, 2013
Texas Healthcare Trustees Founders Award, 2013
Sports Hall of Fame, Lamar Hunt Lifetime Achievement Award, 2014
Cooper Institute, Legacy Award, 2017
Drayton and his wife, Elizabeth, live in Temple, Texas. They are proud parents and grandparents. They have two sons, Drayton McLane, III and Denton McLane. Drayton III and wife Amy have three sons, and Denton and his wife Amy, have two sons. They are members of the First Baptist Church of Belton..
Greg Parker, the founder and CEO of Parker’s and Parker’s Kitchen, opened his first convenience store in Midway, Ga. in 1976. Today, he leads a nationally acclaimed company that was named the 2020 Convenience Store Chain of the Year and is widely known for high-quality foodservice, the cleanest stores in the industry and cutting-edge technology. Inducted into the Convenience Store Hall of Fame, Parker has been recognized as the Foodservice Leader of the Year, Tech Executive of the Year, Citizen of the Year, Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce and Savannah Morning News Entrepreneur of the Year and Georgia Trend Legacy Leader.
A steadfast advocate of giving back to the community, Parker has donated more than $30 million to charitable causes across coastal Georgia and South Carolina and received the 2022 Georgia Southern University Parker College of Business Corporate Partner Award. Parker is a longtime member of the Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO) and is active in the Petroleum Marketers Study Group. He previously served as the Vice Chairman of Research for the National Association of Convenience Stores, Chairman of the BPAmoco Marketers Association and a member of the Pepsi Retail Advisory Council as well as the Coca-Cola Retail Advisory Committee.
Parker currently serves on the Savannah Economic Development Authority (SEDA) board and previously chaired the Mayor’s Business Roundtable and the Keep Savannah Clean anti-litter campaign. He is the proud father of Olivia, Bennett and Lily Parker.
Jonathan Polonsky is the current Chairman and CEO of Plaid Pantry, a regional convenience store company headquartered in Portland, OR. Plaid Pantry owns and operates 107 stores in Oregon and Washington. Mr. Polonsky joined Plaid Pantry in July 2012 as COO, was promoted to President in 2016 and to CEO in 2018. Prior to his experience at Plaid, Mr. Polonsky spent 12 years with a NW packaging distributer as a sales executive. His other career experience includes 7 years as an executive with May Company Department Stores and 4 years as a co-owner of a regional retail store safety & sanitation distribution company. Mr. Polonsky has a Bachelor Degree from the University of Washington.
Outside of work, Mr. Polonsky enjoys spending time outdoors across the Pacific Northwest, cycling, playing handball, and exploring hard to get to locations courtesy of his private pilot’s license. Mr. Polonsky lives in Portland, OR with his wife, Jessica.
Darren Rebelez, Chairman, President and CEO Casey's General Stores
Darren Rebelez is the Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Casey’s (NASDAQ: CASY), a FORTUNE 500 company operating over 2,600 convenience stores throughout the Midwest and South. As CEO of the third largest convenience retailer and fifth largest pizza chain in the United States, Rebelez offers a wealth of experience from his career as a senior executive in the convenience, restaurant and fuel industries.
Under Rebelez’ leadership, Casey’s has undergone a remarkable transformation, including several significant milestones: a brand modernization/reimaging, closing several significant acquisitions (including the largest in the company’s history), a digital transformation including the first rewards platform that currently boasts over 7.5 million members, launching a new e-commerce platform, relaunching the company's private brand business, and publishing the company’s first ESG report.
Prior to Casey’s, Rebelez served as the President of IHOP Restaurants, a unit of Dine Brands Global, Inc.. While leading IHOP, the company grew to become the largest full service restaurant brand in the USA. Previous to IHOP, Rebelez worked at 7-Eleven, the world’s largest convenience store chain, as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. Before 7-Eleven, Darren held numerous leadership roles within ExxonMobil Corporation.
Preceding his civilian career, Darren was an Army Ranger and Gulf War veteran. A native of San Diego, he is a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Foreign Area Studies. He went on to also earn an MBA from the University of Houston.
In addition to his role at Casey’s, Darren serves on the board of directors of Genuine Parts Company (NYSE: GPC), and as an advisory board member for the Children of Fallen Patriots Foundation.
Donald Rhoads, President/CEO The Convenience Group, LLC
COMPANY: The Convenience Group, LLC owns and operates 6 convenience stores and franchises 3 convenience stores in Southwest Washington state. The chain was awarded 2018 and 2024 Washington State Retailer of the Year by the Washington Food Industry and Independent Grocers Association.
DON’S BACKGROUND BUSINESS: Don is the owner and CEO of The Convenience Group, LLC and has led the company in strategic growth, planning and establishment of long-term goals and policies, and building the company’s asset portfolio. Don began his convenience store career in 1989 as President of the Quick Shop Minit Mart, a 65-unit convenience store chain located in Vancouver, Washington. Don is past Chairman of National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS), Chairman of NACS Political Engagement Committee and serves on the NACS Executive Committee, which provides strategic direction and financial oversight to the association. Don is past President and founding member of Washington Association of Neighborhood Stores.
EDUCATION: St. Mary’s College; Western Washington University; National Development Council; NACS Financial Leadership Program, Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania; NACS Marketing Leadership Program, Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University, NACS Innovation Leadership Program at Massachusetts Institute of Technology and NACS Executive Leadership Program at Dyson Cornell College of Business. FAMILY: Don and Jennifer have two children.
ACTIVITIES: Family, travel and outdoor activities.
Mark Samuels, EVP of Convenience Retailing Dash In/The Wills Group
Mark Samuels is a Retail Executive with over 35 years of experience in the Foodservice, Convenience, and Retail industries. Mark currently serves as Executive Vice President of Convenience Retailing for the Wills Group and leads the Company’s customer facing businesses that include Dash In Food Stores and Splash In Eco Car Wash.
During Mark’s 26-year career at the Wills Group, he held several key leadership roles within the organization. Over the past decade, the Wills Group has been focused on transforming its portfolio of Brands. Dash In, under Mark’s leadership, has focused on creating a disruptive convenience concept based on a standardized building design, restaurant quality food and beverage, and a new visual identity; all of which will enable rapid growth. Additionally, Splash In has focused on delivering a superior wash experience for our guests that exists as part of an integrated offering with Dash In Fuel and Convenience, as well as stand-alone Express Exterior wash facilities.
Mark Holds an Executive MBA from Loyola College of Maryland and undergraduate degrees in Hotel and Restaurant Management, Business Management, and Psychology.
Joseph S. Sheetz was born in Altoona, Pennsylvania where he grew up working with his father, Joseph M. Sheetz, at the family-owned Harshbarger Dairy. Once the dairy was sold, the elder Joe began working for the other family business founded by his brother, Sheetz, Inc. The younger Joe later worked for Sheetz in various accounting and operations functions during high school and college. Sheetz, Inc. is a family owned business with approximately 25,000 employees operating over 660 convenience stores in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Ohio, Virginia, West Virginia, and North Carolina. Known for its award winning proprietary food service program, the Company has annual revenues of over $9 billion and is currently ranked by Forbes Magazine as the 75th largest private company in the United States. Sheetz has also been ranked in the Fortune best 100 companies to work for list during 7 of the last 8 years, currently coming in at #33.
Joe graduated from The Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania with a B.S. in economics in 1989. After graduation, Joe worked as an employee benefit and pension plan consultant for CGI Consulting in the suburban Philadelphia area, specializing in designing benefit and retirement plans for major corporations. In 1995, Joe returned to Sheetz as Director of Personnel and later became Executive Vice President of Finance in June of 1996. In this position, he led all finance, accounting, technology, real estate, and risk management functions and was an active member of the executive committee. He served as both President & CEO of Sheetz from 2013 thru 2018, CEO from 2018 thru 2021, and is currently Executive Vice Chairman.
Joe currently serves on the Economic and Community Advisory Council for the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia, the Advisory Board for the Baker Retailing School at the Wharton School of Business, and as an Advisory Board Member for M&T Bank. He is former Chairman of the Board of Directors for the National Association of Convenience Stores and serves on the Executive Committee of the Altoona Blair County Development Corporation where he was Chairman from 2009-2011. He is also former Chairman of Mount Aloysius College. Joe is a frequent guest speaker at business schools and family business conferences. He resides in Altoona, Pennsylvania with wife Wendy.
Keith Slater, Chief Financial Officer Family Express Corp
Successful executive finance and operations leader with over 30 years’ experience leading organizations in the retail, energy, transportation, and restaurant industries. Extraordinary cross-functional leadership roles over budgeting, financial planning and analysis, operations, accounting, category management, procurement, supply chain, transportation, real estate, and information technology. A strategic, customer-focused, and change-oriented executive with a proven track record of driving sales, operational improvement, operating income, process enhancement, simplification, and best-in-class operations. Strong expertise in leadership, financial management, organizational structure, capital management, team development, and mergers & acquisitions.
COMPANY: TXB, previously Kwik Chek Food Stores, Inc., is a chain of 50 convenience stores across Texas and Oklahoma, offering unique, fresh-made food and a robust line of TXB private label products. Kwik Chek’s rebrand to TXB (short for Texas Born) emphasizes the Texan roots and values the brand was built upon – authenticity, hospitality and integrity. Kevin is also the managing member of Taylor-Smartt, LLC., and an investment company that owns a variety of companies in industries ranging from fuel, propane, technology, banks, real estate and food production.
KEVIN’S BACKGROUND BUSINESS: Beyond serving as the CEO of TXB for more than two decades, Smartt also serves as Chairman for Conexxus, Chairman of the Coca-Cola National Retailing Research Council, serves on the Board of Directors for P97 Networks, Inc., a technology company, and was the 2020-2021 NACS Chairman. Smartt continues to widen his professional board involvement, and has an interest in serving on boards involved in the banking, technology and healthcare industries.
Eva Strasburger President, StrasGlobal CEO, Compliance Safe
Born in Tanzania, brought up in Vanuatu, Hong Kong and the Caribbean and educated in England, Eva Strasburger, brings an international perspective to everything she does. After graduating from Cambridge University, and a stint at Chase Manhattan Bank in London, she co-founded a publishing company with Roy Strasburger in Southern England before moving to the States in 1988. For fifteen years, she served as VP of International Client Relationships for Strasburger Enterprises, where she helped manage their convenience retailing clients in over thirty countries.
Eva is currently President of StrasGlobal. StrasGlobal had its own retail outlets until June 2022 and, for the last thirty years, has provided operational and infrastructure support and management consulting to retail operators. Eva is also CEO of Compliance Safe, a SaaS product that manages business-critical documents, and alerts retailers when permits should be renewed. Compliance Safe won CSP’s Retailer Choice Best New Technology Product in 2020.
Eva is co-founder of the Vision Group Network – where industry leaders meet to discuss current and future issues and share their perspective with the rest of the industry.
In 2020, Eva spearheaded the StrasGlobal COVID Task Force Team and the development of the COVID-19 Response Plan. Shared with retailers, the plan was featured by NACS, Convenience Store News, CSP and numerous state associations. Eva then headed up Resources for Retailers, a new initiative that provides information, support and, most importantly actionable plans for small retailers.
Eva is a member of the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS), and the New York Association of Convenience Stores (NYACS), and a past member of the Society of Independent Gasoline Marketers of America (SIGMA) and the Consumer Goods Forum (formerly CIES).
Convenience Store News named Eva as a senior-level leader in their 2021 Top Women in Convenience Awards.
Eva, is an Officer on the Board of Directors of the Caius Foundation of Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge University, an Officer of the Priory in the USA of The Order of St John and Vice-President of The American Friends of St George’s and Descendants of the Knights of the Garter. She is based in Austin, Texas with her husband, Roy, and they have four daughters: Selina, Chantal, Lorelei and Danielle. Along with other charitable endeavors, Eva and Roy focus on supporting global cultural and heritage projects.
The context: A unique Anglo-Goan background and perspective from a bygone era; a love of the exotic in design and beauty; a connoisseur of boutique hotels and travel itineraries; an aficionado of late-night dinner debates; a passion for collecting artifacts and their stories; a collector, connector, and disseminator of information; an initiator of creative experiences and an enthusiastic participator in any cultural ventures.
Joris Van Brussel, CEO Shell Mobility and Convenience
Joris van Brussel is the CEO of Shell Mobility and Convenience USA, the company that operates all the company owned stores in the USA. A Dutch national and international Shell veteran of some 20 years, Joris has visited service stations over 50 countries and has led businesses all over the world having been based in the USA, Mexico, Singapore, Switzerland and the Netherlands. A retailer at heart, Joris has spent the majority of his career with Shell in Mobility working in local, regional and global roles across sales, operations, marketing and convenience retail in direct and indirect operations. This included leading one of the largest convenience retail businesses for Shell globally and being on the global convenience retail team as well as overseeing 58 Shell license markets and more recently serving as the head of Downstream and President of Shell Mexico.
With over 40 years knowledge and experience cultivated by strong relationships, Myra Kressner brings value to the marketplace by developing and facilitating strategic engagement for suppliers and retailers in the consumable retail industries.
Myra Kressner co-founded Retail Insights, the food retail industry’s first b-b video publishing company in 1983, which was sold to Progressive Grocer in 1987.
From 1984-1994 Myra led account management for The Retail Marketing Group, a niche B-B trade advertising agency.
In 1994, Myra co-founded CSP Business Media, well know for CSP Magazine, CSP Daily News, Retail Leader of the Year, Convenience Retailing University, Outlook Leadership Conference, CSP’s Edu-Networking series, and even more.
In June 2012 CSP Business Media sold to Winsight Media, which sold to Informa Connect in 2023.
Myra founded Kressner Strategy Group in April 2016, bringing her expertise, deep relationships and thought-leadership to strategic and tactical planning in food retail industries.
Myra was SUNY New Paltz Foundation Board Executive Committee member and Chair of the Foundation Development Committee from 2016-2024, a frequent speaker at New Paltz Women’s Leadership Summit, and speaker and mentor at the Hudson Valley Venture Hub.
In 2018 Myra created the Kressner Autism Spectrum Program (KASP) Fund and Endowment.
Myra co-Founded the Vision Group Network with Eva Strasburger and Roy Strasburger in 2020, hosting quarterly virtual Vision Group meetings with convenience retail and fuel/energy/mobility leaders to debate issues, share experiences and brainstorm solutions. Vision Reports are shared throughout the industry at no charge, dedicated to the mission of “Sharing Today to Shape Tomorrow.”
Myra is the recipient of 2021 Top Women in Convenience and 2021 SUNY New Paltz Heritage awards.
Myra was SUNY New Paltz 2024 Commencement speaker.
Roy Strasburger CEO, StrasGlobal President, Compliance Safe
Roy Strasburger is an expert in convenience retailing and a thought leader in the retail industry. He is a frequent columnist, conference presenter, and webinar and podcast participant.
Roy is a fourth-generation retailer and is currently CEO of StrasGlobal, a retail support and consulting company based in Austin, Texas, USA. In this capacity, he oversees StrasGlobal’s retail, tech, and consulting businesses. He also serves as President for Compliance Safe – a business document management software solution that won the CSP Retailer Choice Best New Technology Product in 2020.
Roy attended Baylor University graduating with degrees in Marketing and Computer Information Systems. He obtained his JD degree from Baylor University Law School in 1984 and joined a British law firm based in the Caribbean.
After moving to England, where he started a publication company, Roy returned to the US to join Strasburger Enterprises, Inc. (SEI) as General Counsel. He later became President of SEI’s fuel division then, in 1994, he was named President of the International Division. From 2009 Roy ran SEI’s US and international convenience retailing businesses as well as heading up Cambridge-Myers, its consulting division. During his time with SEI, Roy was responsible for the development and/or operation of over 6,000 retail sites in 33 countries through the licensing of its systems and management agreements.
In 2012 Roy bought SEI’s retail business and continues to provide retail related services to multinational oil companies, financial institutions, investors, and independent operators under the StrasGlobal banner.
Roy is a co-founder of the Vision Group Network, where top level executives discuss current and future issues and share their perspective with the rest of the industry, and a co-founder of Resources for Retailers (RfR), an initiative that provides information, support and, most importantly, actionable plans for small retailers.
Roy is a member of the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) where he served as Vice-Chairman on its Executive Board and Board of Directors and was a founding member of the NACS International Board. Roy is also a member of the New York Association of Convenience Stores (NYACS), and a past member of the Society of Independent Gasoline Marketers of America (SIGMA) where he participated on the Legislative Committee, the Turnaround Management Association (TMA), and the Tribal Convenience Store Association (TCSA). He has also been a member of The Coca-Cola Research Council, the Consumer Goods Forum (formerly CIES), and the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts (NAREIT).
Roy is the recipient of Convenience Store News inaugural 2021 Special Service award.
Roy is an Officer in the Priory in the USA of The Order of St John and is a member of The American Friends of St George and Descendants of the Knights of the Garter. Roy and Eva are based in Austin, Texas and they have four daughters, Selina, Chantal, Lorelei and Danielle. Along with other charitable endeavors, Roy and Eva focus on supporting global cultural and heritage projects.
The context: Dreaming of new ventures, exploring foreign markets, early mornings watching cities come alive, G&Ts at Bali sunsets, reading The Economist, long road trips with rock’n roll on the radio, or Texas two-stepping with his four daughters. Enjoying the moment.
Henry Armour is president and CEO of NACS, only the third person to lead NACS in its 62-year history.
Armour joined NACS in 2005, after spending his entire career in the convenience and petroleum retailing industry. He began his career at his family’s retail automotive and wholesale transportation businesses, Armour Oil Company, where he managed retail service stations and transportation facilities, negotiated labor contracts, oversaw the company’s petroleum supply system, and handled government affairs. Armour was named vice president and chief operating officer of the company in 1977.
In 1980, Armour 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 NOW! convenience stores, truck stops and quick service restaurants in the Pacific Northwest. He sold the company in 2004. In 1988 Armour founded a second company, Epoch Corporation, which operated retail enterprises in California.
Prior to becoming president and CEO, Armour was active in NACS’ volunteer leadership, serving two one-year terms as chairman of the board (2001-2003). He also was treasurer, vice chairman of research & development, chairman of the Technology and Education Sessions committees and a member of Category Management and Future Study 2000 committees.
Armour also has served as a testifying expert and consultant focusing on litigation issues relating to marketing practices in the petroleum and tobacco retail areas as director with the Law & Economics Consulting Group, a worldwide organization headquartered in Emeryville, California. He also has testified on numerous occasions before Congress and state legislatures on behalf of NACS and other retail organizations.
Armour earned a B.A. in economics (with honors) from Stanford University in 1973. A year later he earned an M.Sc. in economics from the London School of Economics, and then returned to Stanford to earn an M.B.A. in 1976 and a Ph.D. in economics in 1977.
Armour and his wife Natalie Clark have four children and reside in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and Washington, D.C.
Lisa Dell’Alba, President and CEO Square One Markets June 30, 1978 – February 16, 2025
Lisa Dell’Alba was born into the world of retail at Square One Markets. As a young child her father encouraged her to forge her own path before coming to work in the family business. In 2004, Lisa joined the team at Square One Markets and fell in love with the industry immediately.
Dell’Alba’s role in the family business led to management of multi-facilities, category manager and later catapulted her into the position of human resource director. She assumed the title of vice president of operations at the age of 28, where she developed innovative concepts such as a team-based approach to operations management, a redefinition of customer service excellence and implemented the concept of multi-person interviews to strengthen her team’s approach to operations. She became president of Square One Markets in 2009 and strived for the core values that have been a part of the family business for over four decades. Her hands-on approach to all facets of the operation led her into new programs, policies and challenges that give her the job satisfaction each and every day.
Lisa passed away on February 16, 2025.
"I will always remember Lisa as a force to be reckoned with—a true professional in every sense of the word. She was determined, and dedicated, approaching every challenge with confidence and a commitment to excellence. Her leadership was evident through her service on state association committees and boards, foundation initiatives, and her contributions to the NACS board and committees, culminating in her planned journey to becoming NACS Chairman.
Beyond her professional achievements, Lisa’s warmth and generosity left a lasting impact on all of us. She had an unforgettable smile and a heart of gold, always the first to support challenging causes, celebrate successes, and remind us that work was about more than results—it was about people. A couple of examples include her passion for teaching and mentoring NACS’ Leadership for Success Program, along with her unwavering commitment to supporting underserved communities and individuals with disabilities.
Lisa had a rare ability to inspire, and uplift those around her, leaving behind an industry that will forever cherish the privilege of having known her."
-Donald Rhoads President/CEO, The Convenience Group, LLC
I started working for the family business at a young age, during my summer school breaks, learning all aspects of my organization. I started in the gas stations and eventually advanced to the office as I got older. Following my completion of my MBA, I started full-time for my company.
For the first 5 years within Nouria, I worked directly for our CFO & COO doing special projects and mastering the entire accounting and finance department of Nouria. I am currently the Head of the Wholesale Fuels Division as the fuel side is a deep passion of my in the business. I am also the Head of Mergers, Acquisitions and New Business Development Activities within Nouria.
Varish Goyal is the CEO of Vintners Distributors, Au Energy and Loop Neighborhood Markets, a family of companies that operates 130 stores and supplies fuel to 80 dealers. Varish is a second-generation family member whose father, Nick Goyal, started the company. Varish is a proven operator who as lead his company through multiple rounds of growth. His strategic focus has recently led to the launch of a new lifestyle convenient market brand called Loop, the first of its kind in California.
Varish has been working in the convenience and petroleum retail industry since 2002. His first project was to implement a centralized price book, accounting and back office management system. From there, he leveraged the new IT system to become heavily involved in operations eventually taking the role of operations and price book manager. In 2005, he took over the role of Marketing Manager and Buyer. He is experienced at fueling, marketing, operations, finance, IT, mobile applications for retail, business intelligence and most recently new brand development. He is a member of the NACS Research Committee, Study Group 900 and YPO.
Varish holds a bachelors degree in biomedical engineering from Duke University and earned a MD/MBA degree from Wake Forest University. He is currently married to his wife of 19 years, Mansi, and they have a son, Aayush (19) and a daughter Vunshika (13). His hobbies include reading, tennis, football, snow skiing and anything related to technology.
Doug Haugh has over twenty five years experience working in the energy and technology industries building businesses organically and by working with both buyers and sellers on dozens of M&A transactions. Doug has lead growth strategies in the retail convenience store, fuels marketing, supply & trading, renewable products, lubricants, technology, and distribution sectors.
Most recently, as President of Parkland USA from 2017 to 2022, Doug grew earnings by 15x and completed 20 acquisitions in less than four years. Doug currently serves as a Board Director of BioBlend Renewable Resources, a renewable bio-based products company that now has over 50 fully commercialized bio-based products. In addition Doug serves as board chairman for TRUX.
Doug began his career with Exxon, serving in marketing and business development. Previously as Co-Founder and COO of FuelQuest, Doug created supply chain management and tax automation solutions throughout the downstream energy industry for clients like Wal-Mart, Ryder, 7-Eleven, UPS, and Chevron. As President and Chief Strategy Officer of Mansfield Energy, Doug was the driving force behind Mansfield’s corporate strategy, acquisitions, partnerships, and alliances.
Dedicated to building a strong sense of community and continuous education Doug created Engineering Leadership, a non-profit foundation focused on educating and engineering future leaders. A passionate supporter of his industry Doug serves on the Board of Directors of the National Association of Convenience Stores.
In 2006, Doug was named Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year, Energy Technology, Houston and Gulf Coast Area. He was honored as a 2009 Clemson Alumni Entrepreneur by the Arthur M. Spiro Institute for Entrepreneurial Leadership at Clemson University. He was named to the CIO 100 in 2010 and 2011 by CIO magazine. In 2022 Doug was named Retail Executive of the Year by Convenience Store News.
Doug graduated Magna Cum Laude from Clemson University in Chemical Engineering and holds an MBA in Technology Management. Doug was born overseas in Scotland. He and his wife of 24 years, Athena, have lived all over the U.S. from Charleston to San Francisco, and have two children Asa and Gavin.
George Martinez, Head of Business Strategy AisleAI Inc.
George’s 34 years of beverage and consumer products experience includes 26 years within the Pepsi-Cola system. George has demonstrated a track record of growing businesses, brands, and people while holding positions such as Sales Manager, President, General Manager, CEO and Chairman. He has a diverse experience in building consumer brands in large cap corporate environments, as well as within private and small cap business ventures. He has held numerous leadership positions in various functions, including Selling and Delivery, General Management and Sales Management. He is recognized as being high-energy, hands on, and results driven. His outstanding sales and sales management success have been a result of his ability to bring people, organizations, and teams together for a common cause and developing trusting relationships. These relationships foster a “customer for life” attitude and they deliver business results for all parties involved.
George is a high impact executive that leverages exceptional communication skills, a highly collaborative approach, positive demeanor, a key process discipline, and focused leadership style that generates the greatest level of performance and productivity from any organization he leads. George has a thirty year proven track record of results with management experience for all traditional functional departments across immense employee populations and full P&L accountability.
George and his wife Lisa currently reside in Chandler, Arizona. They have 3 children Lisa Renee, Eric and Michael. He received his Bachelor’s degree in Business Management from the University of Phoenix and his Associates Degree from Northern College of Wyoming.
Natalie Morhous, President of RaceTrac, Inc. began her career with RaceTrac in 2012. However, as a third‐generation leader in the 85‐year‐old, family‐owned business, Natalie has been a TracFanatic since birth. Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, RaceTrac owns and operates more than 770 retail fuel and convenience stores across 11 states under the RaceTrac and RaceWay brands. The RaceTrac family of companies also includes Energy Dispatch, the transportation company that hauls fuel for RaceTrac and Metroplex Energy, the wholesale fuel supplier which secures bulk fuel to supply RaceTrac and RaceWay stores and other third‐party companies. RaceTrac delivers on its mission to make people’s lives simpler and more enjoyable by offering competitive and meaningful career opportunities, providing a reliable shopping experience to guests, and giving back to causes near and dear to the RaceTrac family and its guests.
In Natalie’s nine years with the company, she has served as Director of Strategy and Development, Executive Director of Strategy and Solutions, Executive Director of Energy Dispatch and Vice President of Energy Dispatch. In February of 2019, Natalie assumed her current role as President of RaceTrac, Inc. Outside of RaceTrac, Natalie serves on the National Association of Convenience Stores Legislative Committee. She is also a board member of Our House, an organization dedicated to ending the cycle of homelessness for families, and she is a member of the Young President’s Organization.
Under her leadership, RaceTrac has had many exciting new developments. The organization has expanded its footprint to Tennessee and Kentucky, opened new store types including a travel center format and welcomed franchisors into the RaceTrac family. She is excited to continue her family’s legacy of leadership and innovation within the convenience store industry.
Natalie and her husband, Hunter, have been married since 2013. They have a son named Wills, a daughter, Hailey, and two dogs – Mason and Reese. Natalie loves water sports, trying new restaurants and any excuse to spend time with her family.
In 2000, the year of clunky Nokia phones and $1.50 gas, a guileless 18-year-old Jigar “JP” Patel left the comforts of his home in India to make a name for himself in America. Even at that young age, it was clear to those around him that JP had that certain spark that drew people to him. He soon earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer Sciences from the University of South Alabama. While in school, he worked a number of odd jobs until he discovered he had a knack for innovative ideas that increased volume and profits for his bosses in their respective stores. He joined the family business of convenience stores and worked from the ground up. With his combined business acumen and tendency to devote himself in his work, he wasn’t cleaning restrooms and manning the register for long!
Fast-forward to 2015, JP is now the co-founder and VP of SAASOA (Strategic Alliance of Affiliated Store Owners of America), the largest such association in the entire Southeast. In the last 7 years, SAASOA has successfully represented approximately 4500 stores owners. JP continues to be instrumental in increasing bottom line profits, partnering with other organizations to increase merchandise and volume and expanding SAASOA’s reach across the Southeast.
JP is also a recognized public speaker and specializes in leadership training and coaching and has successfully served a range of clients including corporate professionals, small business owners, and non-profit and for-profit organizations.
His drive to increase representation among minorities in the convenience store industry led to his association with NACS (National Association of Convenience Stores).
At NACS, JP is a member of Board of Directors and also a part of Member Services Committee, Political Engagement Committee and Legislative Committee.
His magic touch is not limited to the business world. He mentors under represented teenagers and young adults in choosing the path best suited for them. He is a recognized advocate of service and mental health initiatives through The Art of Living. He is a unifying member of the community, bringing together people from all religions, ethnicities, ages and genders to participate in personal health workshops.
As seen through his business drive and his giving nature, JP is truly one of the rare individuals who is sincerely passionate about helping and bringing people together from all walks of life.
Donna is a senior executive with over 30 years of experience in retail, franchising, marketing, commercial and operations. She’s currently the President of Parkland US, a division of Parkland Corporation - one of North America’s fastest growing independent supplier and marketer of fuel and petroleum products and a leading convenience store operator. Parkland USA includes a retail network of 212 retail stores, as well as a commercial business that delivers fuel, DEF, and lubricants to a national network of 50 cardlock locations and over 30,000 commercial customers.
Donna was previously the President of Parkland’s Canadian business, which included a Retail network of 2,000 gas stations and convenience stores, and a Commercial business with 160 cardlock locations and over 200,000 customers. Prior to joining Parkland, Donna worked for BP in a variety of leadership roles including Chief Operating Officer of BP’s US retail business (ARCO and ampm) and Chief Marketing Officer of North America. Donna holds a Master of Science from the University of Southern California and a Bachelor of Science from the University of Pennsylvania.
Barbara Stoyko, SVP Shell Mobility Americas Shell USA
Barbara became the Sr. Vice President of Shell Mobility Americas, effective August 1st, 2021. In this role, she is responsible for the financial, strategic, and organizational delivery of the Retail businesses in Canada, United States and Mexico. Prior to this role, she was the GM of Sales for the branded wholesale business across the United States, where she led her organization to deliver record new business growth while supporting wholesalers through significant market changes.
Barbara began her career as a Process Engineer at the Puget Sound Refinery in 1992, after graduating with a BS in Chemical Engineering from UCLA, but found her ‘home’ in Retail over the past 24 years. Barbara has developed deep expertise in many areas of the business through her roles in sales, strategy, retail development and operations. Prior to her GM of Sales role, Barbara was the GM of Operations and GM of Network Delivery for North America. She has extensive experience in organizational leadership, strategy development, sales and negotiations, and project management. Barbara has a passion for developing talent and building lasting relationships with her team members and external partners.
Barbara resides in Houston Texas with her husband, Rich, with whom she has three children ages 26, 22, and 18.
Mike Weber has spent much of his career rooted in the retail experience, beginning with retail design and shopper strategy for mass merchandisers, grocers and c-stores. He transitioned from retail strategy to branding, leading strategy for leading organizations such as SAP, Microsoft, Aramco and GSK across London and NYC. After building and exiting a boutique design agency, Weber re-entered retail via technology to lead Upshop's marketing, partnership and thought leadership.
Liz Williams is the President and CFO of Foxtrot, a modern convenience store and café that brings together in-store discovery with rapid delivery. Prior to Foxtrot, Liz was CEO of Drybar, the premier blow dry bar specializing in blowouts, hair care products and styling tools and Liz helped found and lead Hart House, a modern quick service restaurant backed by Kevin Hart and other prominent investors.
Liz has deep roots in the restaurant space as the former President of Taco Bell International, a subsidiary of Yum Brands, Inc.’s (NYSE: YUM). In this role, Liz was responsible for the brand strategy, growth and performance of the International business across 30 countries. In her two years leading Taco Bell International, Liz established development agreements for significant growth in India, Brazil, Thailand, Australia, New Zealand, Spain and France.
Prior to this role, Liz was the Taco Bell Global CFO, leading Finance, Strategy, Information Technology and eCommerce, where she was responsible for all financial elements of the $11B business. While at Taco Bell, Liz delivered eight years of industry leading sales, profit, unit, and brand growth. Liz also spent a year at Yum Leading corporate strategy for the office of the CEO.
Before joining Yum, Liz spent six years with The Boston Consulting Group (BCG) as Principal in the Consumer and Retail practices in U.S. and Asian markets. She also spent seven years at Dell Computer in various finance, brand marketing and corporate sales positions.
Liz serves as a board member for Stitch Fix (NASDAQ: SFIX), a leading online personal retailer and as a board member for Viant (NASDAQ: DSP), an advertising software provider.
Liz has previously served on the Kellogg Women’s Leadership Advisory Council, on the Yum Brands Purchasing CoOp board, Restaurant Supply Chain Solutions (RSCS), and on the non-profit Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) of Orange County board.
Liz received her bachelor’s degree, as a marketing major, from the University of Texas Business Honors Program and earned her MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. She lives in Newport Beach, California with her husband and two children.
*Bio, Title and Position at the time of group membership.
CLVG Ally Supporters
What CLVG members say:
JP Patel
Hari 1 dba Fish River Food MartOwner
Annie St. Romain Gauthier
Y-Not Stop – St. Romain OilCFO/Co-CEO
The CLVG meetings are excellent. The agenda really hones in on some of the most pressing issues facing our industry today, from evolving regulatory and labor challenges to technology’s impact on operations and consumer engagement. I thought the discussions weren’t just surface level; they brought out thoughtful perspectives that can help us all as leaders make better, more informed decisions.
Overall, any time you’re able to share ideas and debate strategies with the brightest minds and most experienced leaders in our field, it’s a great thing. The meetings provide exactly that—a forum where collaboration, curiosity, and exchange help each of us learn and grow.Joe Hamza, COO Nouria
I'm glad the meeting outcome will be public. I love sharing my point of view to support the greater good. This can help "normalize the playing field". I appreciate having large, medium and small retail companies as members and really enhoyed the collaborative effort of the group that you don't often get in meetings.Nick Peters, Campbell Oil
Myra Kressner reflects on attending the NACS Convenience Summit Europe in Warsaw, Poland, where networking with VGN members and global retailers, along with store tours across fuel stations, convenience chains, and foodservice concepts, reinforced how customer experience and destination shopping continue to shape convenience retailing worldwide.
Lonnie McQuirter recounts a visit to Żabka Group's Warsaw headquarters, examining how the Polish convenience giant built retail media, app-based loyalty, and autonomous Nano stores into new growth engines. McQuirter draws transferable lessons for independent operators, from auditing fixed assets to finding the small, unglamorous gaps in a customer's day worth closing.
Explores how bidirectional EV batteries could solve the "duck curve," the gap between declining solar production and rising evening electricity demand. Drawing on a discussion with Jose Bueno-Torre of the Center for Community Energy, Strasburger examines electricity arbitrage opportunities for both EV owners and convenience retailers.
