Henry Armour
Henry Armour, President & CEO
NACS
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.
Mike Austin
Mike Austin, Executive Editor
Road and Track Magazine
Mike Austin is has spent more than 25 years covering the automotive industry with a focus on the technical developments of passenger vehicles, aided by an innate curiosity as well as a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in engineering from the University of Michigan.
Kristina Anderson
Kristina Anderson, Chief Service Officer
Midwest Petroleum Company
Kristina manages the Human Resources, Training and Development, Maintenance, Construction, Petroleum Construction, transportation and IT Departments for Midwest Petroleum Company.
Kristina Anderson
Kristina Anderson, Chief Service Officer
Midwest Petroleum Company
Kristina manages the Human Resources, Training and Development, Maintenance, Construction, Petroleum Construction, transportation and IT Departments for Midwest Petroleum Company.
Karen Apple
Karen Apple, Electric Vehicle Program Manager
City of Phoenix
Karen Apple has over a decade of experience and knowledge in public policy issues and project management related to transportation and the environment. Karen joined the City of Phoenix Office of Sustainability, as the Electric Vehicle Program Manager in March 2020 and manages the planning and program development of projects that support the accelerated adoption of plug-in electric vehicles (EVs). This work includes: developing EV education and awareness initiatives, implementing the installation of charging stations for public, and City workplace and fleet use, implementing EV-ready building codes; coordinating with City departments to integrate EVs into the fleet, and continuing to collaborate with other local, regional, and state stakeholders and utility partners to increase EV adoption and decrease air quality emissions. Prior to joining the City of Phoenix Office of Sustainability, Karen served as a Project Manager/NEPA Planner with the City of Phoenix Aviation Department since 2005. Ms. Apple holds a Master of Environmental Planning from Arizona State University and a Bachelor of Science in Public Policy – Transportation from Indiana University’s School of Public and Environmental Affairs.
Hal Adams
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.
Hal Adams
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.
Luis Ackerman
Luis Ackerman, Vice President of Technology
The Spinx Company
Luis Ackerman is the Vice President of Technology at The Spinx Company and has been a key member of the executive leadership team since 2017. With a focus on aligning technology with business objectives, he has led initiatives that improve operational efficiency, enhance security, and elevate the customer experience. By developing a structured technology roadmap, Luis has streamlined workflows, reduced costs by expanding in-house capabilities, and leveraged automation to optimize retail operations.
A strong advocate for cybersecurity and data-driven decision-making, Luis has assembled a world-class security posture by integrating best-in-class solutions and fostering a security-first culture. Under his leadership, Spinx is developing a next-generation data modernization strategy, that will provide advanced analytics and insights to drive smarter business decisions. His strategic vision ensures that technology remains a competitive advantage, delivering measurable value across the organization.
Before joining Spinx, Luis spent 12 years as a managing partner and customer CTO, helping businesses across industries—including medical, retail, manufacturing, distribution, consulting, e-commerce, and entertainment—transform their IT landscapes. Luis holds a degree in Computer Science, along with multiple technical certifications, and continues to expand his expertise through executive leadership training and specialized technology programs. He is committed to driving innovation through technology and believes it is essential for any business to grow and maintain long-term success.
Outside of work, Luis enjoys spending time with his wife, kids, and friends. A passionate sports fan, he loves watching and playing whenever he gets the chance. He also has a deep appreciation for cars, music, and cooking.