NACS Human Resources Forum

Rachel Allen is a dynamic leader in Talent Acquisition, boasting over 15 years of industry experience. Known for her strategic acumen, Rachel is adept at fostering collaboration across teams to meet and exceed organizational objectives. As the Senior Director of Talent Acquisition at 7-Eleven Inc., she guides a robust team responsible for both corporate and field recruitment, ensuring excellence in talent sourcing and placement. Rachel’s communication skills are unparalleled, and her knack for building strong relationships is well-known. She champions a forward-thinking approach among her recruiters, leveraging her expertise in technology to streamline recruitment processes and boost efficiency. Her innovative use of data and design thinking has led to the development of cutting-edge digital solutions, including AI and automation tools.

In 2023, Rachel’s leadership and strategic prowess earned her a spot among the top 10 talent acquisition professionals by OnCon. Her team at 7-Eleven also garnered recognition as a top 10 talent acquisition team and received the Best Use of Technology Award at the Tiara Awards from TALiNT Partners.

Rachel is an alumnus of Texas A&M University, where she graduated cum laude with a B.B.A. in Finance. She further expanded her global perspective through an International Business study abroad program at the University of Las Vegas in Turin, Italy. Her professional credentials include a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) certification from the HR Certification Institute (HRCI).

Tiger was founded 41 years ago in Charlottesville, Virginia as a home heating oil distributor. Since it’s humble beginnings with only two trucks on the lot, Tiger has grown to four divisions in multiple states. Those four divisions are Fuel Distribution (Tiger Fuel), Solar Installation (Tiger Solar), Car Washes (Tiger Wash), and Gourmet Gas Stations known as The Markets. Tiger’s first gourmet gas station was founded in 1991 and will grow to it’s 10 location in fall of 2023. Tiger prides itself in being an employee focused company and remains a family owned and operated.

Shaleena Arreguin is an HR professional located in Charlottesville, VA. Recently promoted to Director of HR for Tiger Fuel Company with previous experience as a HR Manager and Generalist. Most of her experience has been working to support c-stores, car washes, and home health agencies. While attending West Virginia University, Shaleena earned her Bachelor’s in Agribusiness Management and Rural Development alongside a minor in Equine Studies. She just recently earned her SHRM-SCP in 2022 further solidifying her place as a genuine human resource professional. Currently she is an active member of the SHRM Charlottesville Chapter serving on the Virginia State SHRM Annual Conference Committee. Shaleena personally prides herself in having resiliency and spreading the essence of positivity both at work and in her personal life.

In her time outside of Tiger Shaleena spends much of her time with her family. Not only her human family but her furry one too. She has a horse named Cricket, two collies named Joey and JJ, and one cat Penny. Shaleena was on her college equestrian team and to this day still very involved in the equestrian community including serving as the Secretary of the Charlottesville Chapter of the Virginia Dressage Association.

Jenna Collard is responsible for educational programming at NACS to include NACS Show Education Sessions, Executive Education, and other educational programming such as HR Forum, Leadership Forum, and industry webinars.

Prior to joining NACS in 2017, Jenna worked as a corporate trainer for a Washington DC based real estate information company for several years. She earned a BA in Sociology & American Studies from University of Maryland and an M.Ed. in Adult Education and Training from Colorado State University.

In her spare time Jenna loves to come up with new adventures to take her daughters on, travel to take with friends, and run.

Annie St. Romain 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 and 300+ other team members to refuel & refresh the Louisiana communities where they operate.  After vowing never to work for her family's business, she worked for the Louisiana Oil Marketers & Convenience Store Association (LOMCSA) for 3 years and fell in love with the industry.  She joined the family business in 2005. She has since served in various leadership roles with LOMCSA, culminating with President in 2017.  She has served on the Board of Directors for the National Association of Convenience Stores since 2018.  She earned her Master of Convenience certification from NACS in 2021.

Annie earned her BA in British history at LSU, then discovered that law school was not for her.  She took a sabbatical after her first semester and never returned.  

Annie is 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.    She enjoys cooking, baking, reading, traveling and planning trips (especially to Britain, Ireland and France).  Annie & high school sweetheart, Adam, live in their hometown of Mansura, LA, and are parents to 3 children: Samuel, Ellen and Henry.  

Jayme Gough is the Director of Research and Development at NACS. She joined NACS in June of 2017 after having worked for the Alexandria City Public Schools for several years. In addition to administering the NACS State of the Industry Compensation survey and analyzing data for the annual SOI Compensation Report, she manages the NACS category definitions and assists with the State of the Industry enterprise and consumer insights portfolio. She has a passion for helping businesses achieve success using data-drive strategies. Jayme holds a bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry from Bates College and is a certified project manager.

Julie joined Casey's in 1994 as Legal Counsel as its first employment law counsel. She became Vice President of Human Resources/Legal Counsel in 2003 with oversight, in part, of the departments of Human Resources, Payroll, and the Child Development Center. In 2010, Julie was promoted to Senior Vice President, Corporate General Counsel and Human Resources. In August of 2015, her area of focus changed slightly to align with her last position of Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary where she oversaw the Company’s legal, compliance, regulatory and risk areas housed primarily in the departments under her direct supervision of Legal, Enterprise Risk Management, Risk Management (including Worker’s Compensation, Security and Food Safety), and the Project Management Office. She also served as the Company’s secretary with oversight of SEC compliance and coordination of Board matters. Julie served on the NACS Board of Directors for many years culminating with the position of Chairman from 2020-2021.

Before joining Casey's, Julie was an attorney for Shearer, Templer, Pingel &Kaplan. Julie has been active in a number of organizations including the Association of Corporate Counsel (Iowa Chapter), Iowa State Bar Association (past chair of the Corporate Counsel Section), Drake University Law School Board of Counselors and Delta Theta Phi International Law Fraternity, where she served four years as its president. She currently serves on the non-profit Boards for the Wildwood Hills Ranch of Iowa, the James Arthur Albert Foundation, and the Affiliated House Corporation of Gama Phi Beta at Iowa State University. She is also a board member of SuckerPunch Gourmet LLC.

Julie earned a J.D. from Drake University Law School and a B.A. in political science from Iowa State University. She and her husband Tom are the parents of four children and 1 granddaughter.

About Casey’s: Headquartered in Ankeny, Iowa, Casey’s General Stores, Inc. operates more than 2,400 convenience stores in 16 Midwestern states. Casey’s offers self-service fuel, a wide selection of grocery items and an array of freshly prepared food items. Among the most popular of Casey’s prepared food are its made-from-scratch pizzas, donuts, subs and sandwiches. Casey’s operates from three company distribution centers, enabling an approximate delivery of 90% of in-store products as well as 55% of fuel.

Kevin Paul Scott has traveled to six continents and spoken to leaders from more than 100 countries.  Kevin co-founded the leadership consultancy ADDO, which is Latin for "Inspire." For consecutive years, ADDO was the #1 Small business on the Best Places to Work list in Atlanta. ADDO developed the national Chick-fil-A Leader Academy program, the Baltimore Ravens Leadership Institute, and helps companies attract and develop top talent. Kevin is the author of three books, including his latest The Lens. Kevin is a frequent guest on numerous media outlets, including Fox News, CNN, and MSNBC.