#306 Inside Washington: Fall 2021 Update

Culture is the cumulative effect of what people see, hear, experience and believe. In this episode we're breaking down how industry leaders can build a high-performance culture. Hosted by: Jeff Lenard and Chrissy Blasinsky About our Guest: Mark Miller, Author and Co-Founder, Lead Every Day Mark is a seasoned business leader, a Wall Street Journal and international best-selling author, and a dynamic communicator. He worked for one of the world’s great organizations for almost 45 years. Mark began a nearly 45-year career at Chick-fil-A as an hourly team member (and 16th corporate employee) and recently retired as the Vice President of High Performance Leadership. 

Consumers are in a better—but not great—mood than a year ago. NACS surveyed consumers to capture their perceptions of convenience stores related to gas prices, crime and jobs. Hosted by: Jeff Lenard About our Guest: Adam Rosenblatt, Founding Partner, Bold Decision Adam Rosenblatt is one of the nation’s leading political consultants sought after for his ability to help clients achieve victory through effective research-based strategies and messaging. He designs and executes cutting-edge quantitative, qualitative, and data analytics programs for campaigns as well as non-political clients like NACS.

Are they convenience stores/gas stations that serve food, or restaurants that happen to have gas? A new book visually explores these community destinations. Hosted by: Jeff Lenard About our Guest: Kate Medley, Photojournalist and Author of “Thank You Please Come Again” Kate Medley is a North Carolina-based visual journalist and filmmaker documenting the American South. Her latest book is “Thank You Please Come Again: How Gas Stations Feed & Fuel the American South.”

The convenience industry's foodservice future is bright thanks to its commitment to innovate. Hear how a regional distributor is working with a celebrity chef to elevate its offer. Hosted by: Jeff Lenard About our Guests: Andrew Zimmern, Celebrity Chef Chef Andrew Zimmern is an Emmy-winning and four-time James Beard Award-winning chef, TV personality, writer and social justice advocate. A star of cooking shows on Travel Channel, The Food Network and currently host two shows on the Magnolia Network: “Family Dinner with Andrew Zimmern” and “Family Restaurant with Andrew Zimmern, he has devoted his life to exploring and promoting cultural acceptance, tolerance and understanding through food. Michael Ray, President, Team Modern Michael is the third-generation president of Team Modern, a family of companies headquartered in Somerset, KY. He has served on the board of the Convenience Distribution Association as well as being an active member of NACS, the Kentucky Petroleum Marketers Association and the Tennessee Fuel & Convenience Association.

Convenience stores are integral to the communities they serve—for the products they sell and how they give back. Hear how one relationship ties mobility with a local need. Hosted by: Jeff Lenard About our Guests: Renée Power, CMO/GM Mobility Marketing North America, Shell Renée is a natural collaborator with a track record of strong vision articulation, developing high-performing teams, and trusted partnerships. She has worked for Shell on four continents in a variety of commercial, operational, and marketing roles in retail and lubricants across the value chain. Kristine Templin, Chief Development and Marketing Officer, Meals on Wheels America Kristine oversees the national fundraising strategy for corporate partnerships, major donors and special events while working collaboratively with Meals on Wheels Member programs. With more than 20 years of cross-industry experience, Kristine has focused the last decade of her career on forging strategic partnerships and developing highly creative and visible consumer/cause marketing campaigns.

The April 8 solar eclipse is more than a once-in-a-lifetime event for tens of millions of Americans. It’s also an opportunity for convenience stores that are in or near the path of totality. Hosted by: Jeff Lenard About our Guests: Leah Ash, Editor/Writer, NACS Leah joined NACS in 2023. She served in several editorial-related roles before joining NACS. Leah earned a B.A. in English from St. Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Joe Lackey, President, Indiana Grocery & Convenience Store Association Joe has been president of the Indiana Grocery & Convenience Store Association since 1973, working closely with legislative leaders to solve member problems and concerns. Prior to that, he was active-duty military in Europe and Vietnam, then joined the National Guard and Reserve, retiring as a Colonel.

If there is one thing Americans can unite on, it’s complaining about gasoline prices. NACS resources can help educate consumers about the industry and correct misperceptions. Hosted by: Chrissy Blasinsky and Jeff Lenard

What are your stores famous for? For HOP Shops, it’s their disco bathrooms. The concept is so popular that a couple recently got married in one. Hosted by:Jeff Lenard   About our Guests: Ann Gilbert, Human Resources Manager & HOP Shops' Marketing Manager at Valor Oil As marketing manager for Valor Oil, Ann is responsible for the development and supervision of all marketing and communications strategies for its HOP Shops convenience stores. She also oversees a number of human resources functions for the company. Damon Bail, Vice President of Operations and Marketing for Valor Oil Damon has been vice president of operations and marketing for Valor Oil for the past 5 years. Prior to that, he served in leadership roles for several c-store companies including RaceTrac, MAPCO Express and Buchanon Energy Co. (Bucky’s).

There are upwards of 200 billion coupons issued in the United States every year, mostly paper. Digital coupons, called 8112s, are reshaping the coupon landscape. How can convenience retailers jump on the emerging opportunities? Hosted by: Jeff Lenard About our Guest: Sam Jonas, CEO & Co-Founder, nData Services Sam is a 25-year entrepreneur with a focus in the payments industry. Today he is focused on how digital coupons will revolutionize couponing by providing high-value digital discounts directly to consumers' phones, eliminating paper coupons and not requiring a consumer to be a member of a loyalty program to receive the discount.

With increased costs and prices over the past few years, it’s important for convenience retailers to communicate their offer and deliver value. Hosted by: Jeff Lenard and Chrissy Blasinsky About our Guest: Leroy Kelsey, NACS Director, Research As director of NACS Research, Leroy is responsible for disseminating key industry metrics that empower convenience retailer and supplier members with the ability to understand performance opportunities in the areas of financials, store operations, merchandising, shopper insights, foodservice, fuels and more.