Taking a closer look at the young executives and up-and-comers making their mark at chains across the country.
By John Lofstock, Editor
Throughout my 20 years of covering the convenience store industry, I’ve had the opportunity to meet some amazing people, develop lifelong friendships and watch in awe as teams of experienced professionals have learned to work together to produce extraordinary results.
After all, once you’ve battled in the trenches against the likes of Walmart and Starbucks, or stood side-by-side with your competitor down the street to campaign against below-cost legislation and tobacco taxes, a bond is formed that transcends competition. Yes, the goal is to make money but, as this industry has proved time and again, when you are a great marketer and do right by your customers there is enough money to go around.
Throughout my time in the trenches, I’ve also seen countless people come and go. For some, the industry was a stepping stone to other positions in retail. Others moved on to lucrative careers in finance, technology, real estate or other endeavors that pushed the limits of their creativity. But one thing has remained constant through the years: the cultivation of new and young retail talent.
The familial nature of the c-store industry and the countless relationships that have been formed are the backbone of the industry, but its our next-generation leaders that will ensure that convenience stores continues to thrive, and it’s time to recognize just how important they are to our future.
That why Convenience Store Decisions is so proud to partner with the National Advisory Group’s (NAG) Young Executive Organization (YEO) on the 40 Under 40 to Watch for 2016. The list offers a closer look at the young executives and up-and-comers making their mark at chains across the country.
Our report includes men and women who hold a multitude of ranks and responsibilities at chains of all sizes. While our goal is to shine a spotlight on those doing great work around the industry, the final list proved to be challenging. We could have easily done a list of 60 without missing a beat. There were many nominations and quite a bit of leg work from our reporters.
Undoubtedly, we may have left off a candidate or two. I apologize for that in advance. It wasn’t intentional and I hope we can connect with them for a future report. Please feel free to nominate candidates anytime via email at [email protected].
Honoring Retail Excellence
Beyond filling pages, this project was special to me because it ties in nicely with the work being done by our YEO group. We had nearly 25 YEO members join us at the NAG Conference in September and I am expecting many more than that at the 2016 YEO Roundtable, which will be hosted by RaceTrac Petroleum in April 2016.
NAG’s YEO has a long history in the convenience store petroleum industry. Many current industry leaders have spent time learning the industry as members of YEO and now a new generation of future industry leaders will have the same opportunity.
YEO’s mission is to cultivate young talent in the convenience store and petroleum industry through implementation of education and networking. We accomplish this mission by leveraging the experience of NAG members to help foster superior leadership skills.
What’s more, YEO membership provides the ideal opportunity to become actively involved in developing real-time solutions for convenience store and petroleum marketers.
Membership in YEO provides young convenience store and petroleum industry executives with an opportunity to network with other NAG members and influential industry leaders. It also gives young executives a platform to express their ideas, leadership abilities and vision for the future of convenience retailing.
I hope you enjoy the 40 Under 40 and consider YEO when it comes time to help your young executives enhance their industry knowledge and network with other future leaders in their age group.
Download your copy at the link below:
http://cstoredecisions.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/40s.pdf