The future of convenience is changing, and leaders—like you—need strategies and insights to remain competitive and be empowered to facilitate leadership that drives growth while navigating disruption.
The exclusive 2025 NACS Leadership Forum is a 3-day event that brings together top executives of industry-leading companies to discuss and explore how to lead in today’s hyper convenience-focused world. In a retail environment that moves at an unprecedented speed, you will discover the steps top retailers are taking to grow and scale their organizations.
Attendees will explore the future of convenience through world-renowned speakers and industry leaders during sessions packed with insights and top-of-mind opportunities for convenience retailers.
In addition, superior high-touch networking opportunities set the Leadership Forum apart from other industry events. During the 3-day program, Top-to-Top Business Meetings between participating Hunter Club supplier companies and invited retailers are the doorway to uncovering new opportunities that unlock growth, innovation and expand the shopper experience.
This exclusive event is a powerful catalyst to align leaders, develop solutions, explore new strategies, and fuel collaboration.
To be considered for the 2025 NACS Leadership Forum, visit the registration tab and complete the request form.
This agenda is regularly updated. Check back often for updates.
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11:00 am – 5:30 pm
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Registration Open
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1:00 pm – 4:55 pm
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Top-to-Top Business Appointments (by invitation only)
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5:00 pm – 6:15 pm
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Welcome from the 2024 Leadership Forum Moderator
Charles McIlvaine, Chairman/CEO, Coen Markets, Inc.
Leadership Masterclass: Leading with Purpose
Travis Sheetz, President and CEO, Sheetz, Inc.
Henry O. Armour, PhD, CEO and President, NACS
For nine of the last 10 years, Sheetz has been recognized by Fortune magazine among its list of the 100 best companies to work for – at No. 58 in the 2023 ranking. As one of the fastest-growing, family-owned and operated convenience retailers with stores across six states, Sheetz employees more than 24,000 employees and serves over 1.5 million customers each day. Unique benefits and advancement opportunities reflect a genuine concern for employees’ well-being – a respect that is not only felt within work groups but extends across the counter through their Total Customer Focus. Travis joins Henry Armour of NACS to talk about how the Sheetz focus on culture and community engagement strengthens their employee value proposition and their marketplace success.
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6:15 pm – 6:30 pm
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Master of Convenience Awards Presentation
NACS honors industry leaders who have earned the designation of Master of Convenience as a result their successful completion of three or more of the five NACS Executive Education programs. With the support of their organizations, recipients of the NACS Master of Convenience designation have prioritized self-improvement, which in contributes to the growth and excellence of not just their company but also the convenience retailing industry as a whole.
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6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
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NACS Welcome Reception
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Evening
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Open Evening for Dinner
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8:00 am – 5:00 pm
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Registration
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8:00 am – 9:00 am
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Leadership Breakfast
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9:00 am – 10:00 am
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Culture Rules: How to Release Untapped Human Potential and Performance
Mark Miller, Co-Founder, Lead Every Day
Culture is the cumulative effect of what people see, hear, experience, and believe. Building a high-performance culture - where people and organizations win - comes as the result of high-performance leaders committed to leading their organizations to new levels of productivity and success. Mark Miller shares how three simple rules determine the healthy, vitality and sustainability of an organization's culture and how you can use them to release tremendous reserve of untapped human potential and performance throughout your organization.
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10:00 am – 11:00 am
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The Future is Human: Creating People-First Work Cultures
Hannah Ubl, Co-Founder, Good Company Consulting
We are living in a new era of work, one where businesses win when leaders are compassionate, communication is empathetic, and people are prioritized. But that transformation, much like any kind of change, requires a great degree of intention and care. By embracing the workplace lessons learned in the wake of the global pandemic, opportunity exists to design the kind of organization people aspire to work in, and a culture all can be a part of.
Hannah Ubl shares wisdom on how to create a healthier, happier, and a more successful company culture by putting people first. Steeped in years of research and listening – really listening – to employees at all levels, she brings to life what the future of work can and should look like, and how you can take steps to begin immediately.
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11:00 am – 11:20 am
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Break
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11:20 am – 12:15 pm
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Building a Culture of Belonging
Katie Mooney, Managing Director, Seramount
Colette Matthews, Global Vice President of Customer Experience & Inclusion Executive Sponsor, Alimentation Couche-Tard
Nan Thomae, Vice President of HR Field Operations, Casey's
Tony Miller, Executive Vice President, Delek US Holdings, Inc.
Belonging — the belief that we are connected, supported, and respected — is a basic human need. It is also a critical component of creating cultures of equity, diversity, and inclusion at work. Belonging in the workplace can pave the way for greater performance, innovation, satisfaction, and persistence through challenges.
Join as three of the industry's most respected companies share how their efforts to build a more diverse and connected culture is generating positive results across innovation, employee satisfaction, collaboration, and beyond.
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12:15 pm – 1:15 pm
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Lunch
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1:15 pm – 2:15 pm
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Convenience Health Check with Dr. Scott Zietlow
Dr. Scott Zietlow, CEO and Chairman, Kwik Trip, Inc.
Henry O. Armour, PhD, President, and CEO, NACS
It has been one year since Scott Zietlow turned in his stethoscope and stepped down from his role as Professor of Surgery in the Trauma, Critical Care and Surgery Division of Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN to become the CEO and Chairman of Kwik Trip.
In this one-on-one conversation with Henry Armour, Dr. Zietlow will share the lessons he has learned - and rediscovered - in his first year leading Kwik Trip. We will learn his thoughts on leadership, culture and the unexpected similarities between a renown medical institution and a chain of thriving convenience stores.
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2:15 pm – 2:45 pm
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Convenience Industry Long-Term Imperatives to Become the Employer of Choice
Hunter Williams, Partner – Retail & Consumer Goods, Oliver Wyman
Kevin Lewis, Chief Growth Officer, Alimentation Couche-Tard
Melanie Isbill, Chief Marketing Officer, RaceTrac, Inc.
Industry members of the NACS Coca-Cola Retailing Research Council (NCCRRC) share insights from a just-released industry action plan that focuses on the power of collaboration in the quest to solve for key impediments that stand in the way of convenience retail being recognized as an employer of choice for workers.
Based on an extensive study completed by the NCCRRC with Oliver Wyman in late 2023, these leaders will dig into the study’s learnings and discuss the ways in which the industry must hold hands and collectively address labor challenges that persist across all retailers.
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3:00 pm – 4:30 pm
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Convenience Gives Back
Convenience Leaders come together in a special opportunity to show our strength in community support.
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3:30 pm – 5:25 pm
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Top-to-Top Business Appointments (by invitation only)
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6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
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NACS Gala Reception
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7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
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NACS Gala Dinner
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9:00 pm – 11:00pm
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NACSPAC VIP Party
(must be a NACSPAC contributor to attend, please reach out to Katie Bohny with any questions)
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8:00 am – 11:00 am
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Registration
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8:00 am – 9:00 am
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Leadership Breakfast
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9:00 am – 10:00 am
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Cultivating a Vibrant Community with Heart: Strategies for Sustainable Success
Stephanie Sikorski, VP, Marketing, NACS and Executive Director, NACS Foundation
Nick Ruffner, Public Relations Manager, Sheetz, Inc.
Nick Triantafellou, Director of Marketing & Merchandising, Weigel's Stores, Inc.
Kevin Smartt, CEO and President, TXB Stores
Olivia Parker, Community Outreach Manager, Parker's Kitchen
In a world where the convenience and fuel retailing industry moves faster than ever, building a strong sense of community is the key to success. Discover the heart of community engagement with our panel of esteemed industry leaders, as they share their personal strategies and insights for cultivating meaningful connections with their customers and communities in the digital age.
Join us for this engaging 60-minute session, where top-level executives and thought leaders will discuss novel approaches to fostering belonging among your customers, employees, and other key stakeholders. Our panelists will reveal the secrets to creating authentic and lasting relationships with diverse audiences.
Gain valuable insights on how community engagement fuels brand loyalty, enriches customer experiences, and drives business growth, all with the added heart of building connections that matter.
Don't miss this exclusive opportunity to learn from industry pioneers, as they inspire you to take your organization to the next level by harnessing the power of community. Join us for this extraordinary discussion, and leave ready to make a difference by embracing strategies that build lasting, emotional connections to drive sustainable success in the convenience and fuel retailing industry.
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10:00 am – 11:00 am
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Unstoppable Teams: The Power of Aligned Winning
Alex Weber, Award-Winning Speaker, Author, TV Host and American Ninja Warrior
In our unpredictable environment, we must create teams that bond together, grow together, and achieve together to realize our goals. But building sincere trust that is rooted in genuine care between the team members, leaders, and the organization is not for the faint of heart!
With a focus on "Aligned Winning", Alex Weber brings his positive energy, entertaining style, and message of empowerment to teach us how to take a human-first approach to build and strengthen meaningful bonds within our teams.
Alex will share how to avoid the pitfalls that cause most teams to fall victim to the Silent Dividers, where contempt and apathy take over. No matter the challenge, building an Unstoppable Team will be the backbone of a united, cohesive, and driven team set on achieving record-breaking success - together.
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11:10 am – 11:30 am
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Supplier Executive Committee Meeting
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11:30 am – 12:30 pm
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Committee Lunch (for committee members only)
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11:30 am – 2:00 pm
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Supplier Board of Director’s Meeting
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12:00 pm – 3:00 pm
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Retail Engagement Committee Meeting
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12:30 pm – 4:30 pm
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Research & Technology Committee Meeting
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2:00 pm – 2:15 pm
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Supplier Board Executive Session & Debrief
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6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
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Joint Supplier Board, Retailer Engagement, Research & Technology Dinner
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CEO and President
NACS
Read bio >>
Henry Armour is the president and CEO of NACS. He grew up working in his family’s retail businesses, Armour Oil Company, rising to the position of vice president and COO in 1977. In 1980, he joined The Standard Oil Company of Ohio, where he served as manager of development strategies. He later founded West Star Corporation, which grew to include 59 NOW! convenience stores, truck stops and quick-service restaurants in the Pacific Northwest until he sold the company in 2004. In 1988, Armour founded Epoch Corporation, which operated retail enterprises in California.
He became president and CEO of NACS in July 2005, having also served as the association’s chairman in 2002 and 2003. Armour earned a BA in economics from Stanford University, an MSc in economics from the London School of Economics, and an MBA and PhD in economics from Stanford University.
Chief Marketing Officer
RaceTrac, Inc.
Read bio >>
Melanie Isbill, Chief Marketing Officer, joined RaceTrac in 2008 as Commercial Analyst. After leaving to earn her master’s degree, she returned in 2011 as Private Label Brand Manager. She served as Director of Brand Communication and Executive Director of Marketing before assuming her role as Chief Marketing Officer.
In addition to being a member of the Senior Leadership Team, Melanie is also actively involved in RaceTrac’s Women’s Leadership Business Resource Group, LEAD. In 2016, Melanie was honored as a Who’s Who in Marketing at Leading Retailers by Shopper Marketing and was named a Women of the Year as a Top Women in Convenience by CSNews in 2021. Melanie also serves as a Board Member for the Michael J Fox Foundation.
Prior to joining RaceTrac, Melanie was an intern at The Coca-Cola Company and Product Assistant at Macy’s Merchandising Group. She graduated from Southern Methodist University with a Bachelor’s of Business Administration in marketing and Italian language. She earned her MBA in marketing and finance from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.
Melanie and her husband, Steve, have two children, Lily Ray (5) and Eddie (3), and a dog, Max.
Chief Growth Officer
Alimentation Couche-Tard
Read bio >>
Kevin Lewis was appointed Chief Growth Officer in January 2023, having served as Chief Marketing Officer since joining Couche-Tard in July 2017. Mr. Lewis' primary focus is on transforming Couche-Tard's customer experience and building what's next, while leading the marketing, customer experience, analyst and innovation teams.
Mr. Lewis has held multiple leadership roles in digital and physical retail and technology companies around the world. He previously held the position of Marketing Director at Total Wine & More. Previously, Mr. Lewis led the digital business, kiosks and subscriptions while serving as Senior Vice President of Digital at Blockbuster Entertainment. From 2004 to 2008, he was a member of the Executive Committee and Head of Strategy and New Business for Philips Consumer Lifestyle, a division of Royal Philips Electronics. Earlier in his career, Mr. Lewis held several leadership positions for ten years at the Boston Consulting Group, focusing on FMCG, retail and technology clients worldwide. Mr. Lewis holds a bachelor's degree in international relations from Stanford University and an MBA (laude) from INSEAD.
Global Vice President of Customer Experience & Inclusion Executive Sponsor
Alimentation Couche-Tard
Read bio >>
With an extensive background in consumer-packaged goods companies like Procter & Gamble, Newell Brands, and Whirlpool Corp., Colette has garnered invaluable experience collaborating closely with store and retail teams. Currently serving as the Global Vice President of Customer Experience for Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc.'s Circle K brand, Colette leads initiatives to empower the organization with enabling capabilities, best practices, and infrastructure for a consistent, winning, and desirable customer experience.
Alimentation Couche-Tard, the parent company of Circle K, Ingo, and Couche Tard, stands as the #2 convenience retailer globally and a Global Fortune 200 company. Colette's responsibilities encompass customer insights, customer service, innovation in the customer journey through developing high-value digital experiences, leading efforts to monetize Circle K's retail media network, and overseeing the company's emerging e-commerce business. Her ambition is to modernize convenience shopping by delivering winning omnichannel experiences for customers on the go, at home, and in-store.
In addition to her day-to-day responsibilities, Colette serves as the Co-Chair of Alimentation Couche-Tard Global Women's Council and takes on the role of Executive sponsor for the company's recently established race and ethnicity business resource group. Furthermore, Colette was distinguished with the prestigious title of 2022 CNS Woman of the Year, underscoring her significant contributions and leadership in the industry.
Residing in Charlotte, NC, with her husband, Kenneth, Colette finds balance by spending time with 32 first cousins, engaging in travel, and practicing yoga. Her number one passion is food, and she indulges it by growing herbs and vegetables, collecting recipes, cooking, and exploring cuisines and restaurants worldwide to satisfy her adventurous palate.
Chairman/CEO
Coen Markets, Inc.
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Charlie McIlvaine is the Chairman & CEO of Coen Oil Company, LLC, a diversified holding company. Together with his brother Andy, they manage Coen Markets (a convenience retail chain in the Tri-State region of Pittsburgh, PA) and Coen Tire (a retail tire platform). Charlie is also Managing Partner of Thomaston Capital, LLC, a private investment firm that invests in growth or later stage companies primarily in the consumer/retail sector.
Charlie was previously a member of Avista Capital Partners, a private equity firm based in New York with $4 billion under management, where he focused on investments in the consumer sector. Prior to working in private equity, Charlie was Co-Global Group Head and Managing Director of the Global Consumer Group for Deutsche Bank. In this capacity, he had responsibility for managing a group of 50+ professionals across three global investment banking offices which generated revenues over $300 million. DB’s Global Consumer Group advised on mergers & acquisitions and raised debt and equity capital for clients in the food/beverage, household products/personal care, retail/restaurant and business services sectors. Previous to DB, Charlie was a senior member and Managing Director of J.P. Morgan’s Global Consumer Group in investment banking. While at J.P. Morgan, he executed financings and mergers and acquisitions for a wide range of consumer companies. He began his career as an investment banking analyst for Merrill Lynch based in New York and London.
Charlie holds an MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, attended New College of Oxford University, and earned a BA in economics from Duke University.
Co-Founder
Lead Every Day
Read bio >>
Mark Miller 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 his Chick-fil-A career as an hourly team member and recently retired as the Vice President, High Performance Leadership.
Mark began his Chick-fil-A career working in one of the chain’s local restaurants as an hourly employee. Since those early days, his roles have spanned much of the organization. Mark joined the corporate staff working in the warehouse and mailroom, he then provided leadership for Corporate Communications, Field Operations, Training & Development, Quality and Customer Satisfaction, Leadership Development, and more. For the last twenty-five years, much of his time has been focused on helping the organization grow its leadership capacity.
Mark’s passion is serving leaders. He has traveled to dozens of countries around the world in response to his calling. Whether speaking to global audiences or individual leaders, his message is consistent and pragmatic: Lead Every Day.
Mark and his team at Chick-fil-A have invested a quarter century and millions of dollars searching for and validating ideas that work. Over the years, they have focused on numerous topics including building High Performance Teams, High Performance Organizations, Employee Engagement, Execution, Personal Leadership Effectiveness, and most recently, Culture. These projects have each culminated in globally acclaimed books. Today, more than one million copies of Mark’s books are available in 25+ translations.
Mark is also an avid photographer. His expeditions have taken him to some of the world’s most difficult to reach destinations. He has photographed silverback gorillas in the jungles of Rwanda, icebergs in Antarctica, Maasai warriors in east Africa, Nepalese culture at Everest Base Camp, and much more. More adventures are in the works.
Mark is married to Donna, his high school sweetheart. They recently celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary. Mark and Donna have two sons, Justin and David. Justin is married to Lindsay; their children, Addie, Logan, and Finn, are frequently featured on Mark’s Instagram feed.
Executive Vice President
Delek US Holdings, Inc
Read bio >>
With over two decades of experience in the convenience industry and more than 15 years of CPG involvement with Coca-Cola, Tony's career has encompassed various roles in sales, marketing, operations, and executive leadership. Currently serving as President at Alon Brands, he previously held the same position at MAPCO Express. Tony and his wife Kim enjoy a delightful family, with two daughters (Nikki and Kelsey), two beautiful granddaughters (Annie and Zoe), and the treasured memories of their late son, Payson. Beyond his professional commitments, Tony receives genuine happiness from spending time with his family and their spirited golden doodles, cherishing life's simple pleasures.
Managing Director
Seramount
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Katie Oertli Mooney is a subject matter expert with over 20 years of professional experience specializing in diversity, equity, and inclusion practices in support of talent and organizational change management.
As the Managing Director of Seramount, Katie equips and supports partners with the strategies necessary to enable opportunities for equity within an inclusive work environment. Currently, Katie is the Executive Advisor and Senior Liaison for the Chief Diversity Officers Collaborative and is accountable for Seramount partner success. She serves as a trusted advisor to McDonalds, MGM Resorts, Protiviti, and Sephora, just to name a few. During her tenure at Seramount, she was responsible for leading Diversity Best Practices, the corporate membership offering that supports DEI practices through research and advisory.
Katie is a sought-after speaker and has shared her thought leadership at Seramount Conferences and Events such as the Multicultural Women’s Conference, and the EmERGe Leadership Summit along with external conferences such as the Out and Equal Workplace Summit, SHRM, Open to All, and the Women in Tech Regatta. She has spoken on a variety of topics including authentic storytelling, allyship, crafting your “why” in DEI, and the Asian American experience in the workplace for Masterclass, Weill Cornell Medicine, Federal Reserve Bank of New York, and Hudson Group for example.
Prior to joining Seramount, she was responsible for overseeing the client delivery, staffing, operations and growth as Vice President of Jennifer Brown Consulting and leading the DEI enterprise learning and development strategy at Capital One specializing in differential investment programming to support historically excluded talent. Most recently, during her two term tenure serving on the Board of Directors for the GSBA; the largest LGBTQ and allied chamber of commerce in North America, she co-led the creation of the first DEI strategic plan and committee creation.
Katie has a Master’s degree in Human Resource Management with a concentration on Diversity and Inclusion Management from Georgetown University.
Community Outreach Manager
Parker's Kitchen
Read bio >>
The Parker’s name is synonymous with fuel, fancy snacks, chewy ice and charitable giving. Olivia Parker — daughter of Parker’s founder and CEO, Greg Parker — is focused on the latter. After pursuing a career in New York City, she decided to move home in 2020 and work for her family business. She started as a store recruiter in March of 2020, during the onset of the Coronavirus Pandemic. After a year of recruiting for 24 stores across Georgia and South Carolina, she took on Corporate recruiting.
She is now the Outreach & Communications Manager. Olivia is responsible for planning and implementing programs that support their charity partners and creates volunteer oppurtunities internally, in giving back to our community. She is responsible for managing incoming requests, handling logistics of existing programs, and growing engagement among Parker’s employee population. This role plays a crucial role in establishing and maintaining effective communication between all levels of the organization. Making sure that all Parker’s employees feel a direct tie to corporate and any charitable giving partnership. I this role Olivia represents Parker’s in our Community Outreach engagements and provides support for all public community outreach events involving the Parker’s Community Fund and Parker’s Kitchen. So far, she has established a partnership with the Red Cross Blood Mobile to host monthly blood drives, launched the Round Up for Charity campaign and much more.
Giving back is part of Parker’s Kitchen and Olivia’s DNA. Since 2011 Parker’s has given back more than 11 million dollars to the communities within their corporate footprint. Founded in 2020, the Parker’s Community Fund was created by a generous donation from Greg Parker and Parker’s to give back to the communities that have supported Parker’s and its subsidiaries for the past 45 years. To achieve that goal, the Parker’s Community Fund has identified four areas of focus: Education, Healthcare, Hero’s, and Hunger. The fund has now grown to $24 million, with hopes of growing it to $100 million in the near future.
Public Relations Manager
Sheetz, Inc.
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As public relations manager, Nick Ruffner leads public relations efforts for Sheetz, which has more than 700 store locations across Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland and Ohio. Ruffner’s responsibilities include all media relations, crisis communications, event planning, new store openings, and donation/sponsorships.
Ruffner attended the Indiana University of Pennsylvania, graduating in 2006 with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism. Subsequently, in 2007, Ruffner graduated with a Master of Science in Broadcast Journalism from the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University.
Ruffner began a career in broadcasting in 2007, working as a television anchor/reporter at WJAC-TV in Johnstown up until late 2011. He then served as the news director for a group of seven radio Pennsylvania.
Nick’s career in public relations began in July 2013 as a communications coordinator for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and was later hired, in 2015, as the communications director for Congressman Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson. In that role, he handled all public relations activities for the Congressman’s office. Nick served in that role through Nov. 2016, when he moved to the Altoona area to work for Sheetz.
Ruffner was recognized, in 2020, as Corporate Public Relations Professional of the Year by Regan Communications and PR Daily. In 2021, he was named a Top 40 Under 40 Leader to Watch by Convenience Store Decisions.
Nick lives in Duncansville, PA, with his wife, Zoleanne, and three children – Christian, Claire and Carter.
President and CEO
Sheetz, Inc.
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Travis began working at Sheetz in the construction department and later spent time in Marketing and Accounting during summers in high school and college. He graduated from Penn State University with a B.S. in Finance in 1992 and an MBA in Marketing from the Owen School of Management at Vanderbilt University in 1995. Upon graduation, he moved to Pittsburgh to become a Real Estate Site Selector for Sheetz in western PA and Ohio. He moved up to Director of Real Estate in 1998, and then began a rotation at Sheetz, serving as the Director of Sales, Regional Director of Operations, and Vice President of Operations. In 2013, he was named the Executive Vice President of Operations, overseeing Store Operations, Store Efficiencies, Maintenance, and Human Resources. In 2018, he was named the first President/COO in Sheetz history, and currently oversees Operations, Human Resources, Store Development, Marketing & Distribution, Strategy and IT.
Travis currently serves on the board of directors for QuikTrip, Sheetz, Inc., and Sheetz for the Kidz, an employee-driven charity serving children in need.
VP, Marketing
NACS
Read bio >>
Stephanie Sikorski is VP of Marketing and Executive Director of the re-imagined NACS Foundation for NACS, the association dedicated to advancing convenience and fuel retailing. In this role, she leads the development of integrated marketing strategies and executes campaigns to effectively grow the organization’s global brand.
Prior to NACS, Stephanie was Marketing and Communications Manager – Member Programs for The Vision Council, which represents the manufacturers and suppliers of the optical industry. She has been working in the Marketing and Communications field for nearly 20 years, gaining experience with the City of Tallahassee, Florida, as well as Napier Outdoors and Creative Arts. She has been an active member of the American Marketing Association’s D.C. Chapter (AMADC)—the fourth largest chapter in the nation—having served as President in 2018-19. Sikorski holds degrees in Business Administration and Marketing from Niagara College Canada, an honors B.A. in Communication and a concentration in Public Relations from George Mason University, and a Master’s degree from Georgetown University in Integrated Marketing Communications. Stephanie also received the designation of Cause Consultant by Georgetown University’s Center for Social Impact Communication and holds leadership certificates from NACS Marketing Leadership Program (Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University), NACS Women’s Leadership Program (Yale School of Management, Yale University), NACS Innovation Leadership Program (MIT Sloan School of Management, Massachusetts Institute of Technology), NACS Executive Leadership Program (The Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management, Cornell University), and Innovation Leadership Program (MIT Sloan School of Management, Massachusetts Institute of Technology). She resides in Alexandria, VA.
CEO and President
TXB Stores
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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., an investment company that owns a variety of companies in industries ranging from fuel, propane, technology, banks, real estate and food production.
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.
Vice President of HR Field Operations
Casey’s
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Nan Thomae joined Casey’s in June 2020 as the Vice President of HR Field Operations. Over the past three years, she has developed a team responsible for leading the people and culture strategy for their partners across the Stores, Supply Chain, Fuel and Operations Excellence functions. Executing on Casey’s team member value proposition, the team continues to evolve its talent acquisition, talent management and team member engagement initiatives, driving retention of their people.
Nan was recognized as one of the 2023 Top Women in Convenience in the Senior Level Leader category by Convenience Store News. She is also extremely proud to be a founding member of Casey’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Executive Leadership team.
With 20+ years of experience, she has built her HR career in the retail industry including previous roles with Tractor Supply Company, Shopko and Marshall Field’s.
Nan holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Management and Human Resources & Marketing from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. She and her husband, Scott, along with their two daughters, Beatrix and Sloane and new fur baby, Dolly reside in Ankeny, Iowa.
Director of Marketing & Merchandising
Weigel's Stores, Inc.
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Nick Triantafellou graduated from Texas Tech University with a degree in Economics. Having grown up in the industry, Nick lives to push boundaries and drive progress in the convenience store industry. Nick started his career on the sales side with Altria in 2008 before moving to 7-Eleven as a National Category Manager. Deciding to move to Knoxville, TN to get away from the melting heat of Texas, Nick joined Weigel’s as their Director of Marketing in 2020.
A passion for brands with an eye towards innovation, Nick has developed multiple award-winning products & programs over the years for retailers. A change-maker that always wants to do more to help others, Nick is devoted to the communities in which he lives and works.
Co-Founder
Good Company Consulting
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Hannah Ubl's core mission is to create organizations that don’t suck. She’s devoted her career to flipping the traditional workplace script, throwing out the old “employees are lines on a spreadsheet” in favor of treating people at work more like… well, people.
As Co-founder of Good Company Consulting, she’s sought after for her bold take on building workplaces that prioritize the human experience while simultaneously increasing the bottom line. Hannah’s dedicated the past decade to researching people at work - not just top talent and leadership - but everyone in between. She’s discovered a strangely well-kept secret for recruiting and retaining the workforce of the future: the best recipe for organizational success is rooted in mindfulness, empathy, and kindness.
Hannah’s work is a fresh approach to the standard (and outdated) workplace narrative. Not afraid to ask the hard questions, she pushes audiences towards self-inquiry to help them become better leaders, better managers, and better colleagues.
With heart, deep conviction, and a good dose of self-deprecating humor, Hannah will sweep you along on a journey of insights that lead to deep, lasting mindset shifts about how work works. A passionate speaker and consummate professional, she’s energized by her audiences and brings her full self to each and every presentation.
Award-Winning Speaker, Author, TV Host
and American Ninja Warrior
Read bio >>
Alex Weber is an American Ninja Warrior, Award-Winning Leader & Entertainer positively inspiring millions to achieve breakthrough success! Not only does Alex talk the talk as an in-demand international speaker, he’s walked the walk as an elite competitor on NBC’s Emmy-nominated series American Ninja Warrior. Well, more like, leaped the leap! This wildly popular TV show has sparked a global phenomenon to the extent that hundreds of thousands of people apply, and only a few hundred are given the rare opportunity to compete. Alex is the only person to host and compete on NBC American Ninja Warrior.
Alex’s greatest passion is championing your highest potential by helping you find your Edge, because success is about more than just knowing what to do, it’s knowing how to do it.
Alex shows Top Professionals and Leaders how to bring their very best every day, and to the most high-stakes situations that can make or break your success. It's his sincere understanding of peak performance and peak challenges, mixed with inspiring stories and actionable strategies that makes Alex unforgettable and your human shot of espresso. With his contagious energy and passion, Alex shares his game-changing secrets to record-breaking success!
Partner – Retail & Consumer Goods
Oliver Wyman
Read bio >>
Hunter Williams is a partner based in Oliver Wyman’s Chicago office, working closely with retail and consumer goods clients to address their key strategic challenges globally. Hunter has extensive experience in consumer-facing retail work (including convenience retail) and consumer packaged goods (especially packaged food and beverage). Hunter’s expertise includes consumer insights, corporate strategy, pricing strategy and transaction support.
Before returning home to the United States, Hunter spent nearly a decade based in Greater China and speaks Mandarin fluently. Prior to joining Oliver Wyman, Hunter was a Partner at OC&C Strategy Consultants.
Hunter completed his Mphil at Cambridge University researching China’s informal economy. His bachelor’s degrees in Finance and Chinese Language & Literature are from the University of Florida.
CEO and Chairman
Kwik Trip, Inc.
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Scott has been Chair of the Board of Directors of Kwik Trip since 2000. He assumed the roles of President and CEO after his dad, Don, retired in 2022.
Zietlow earned his undergraduate Bachelor of Science Degrees in Chemistry and Microbiology and his medical degree from the University of Wisconsin. Dr. Zietlow is a graduate of the Mayo Graduate School of Medicine where he completed a residency in General Surgery. He was appointed to Mayo Clinic Staff in 1989. Dr. Zietlow is the past Chair of the Division of Trauma, Critical Care and General Surgery within the Department of Surgery. He holds board certifications in both general surgery and surgical critical care and has been in numerous leadership roles for surgery, trauma, and prehospital care associations promoting high quality patient care. Dr. Zietlow is Professor Emeritus of Surgery, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, and Science, and is the author of over one hundred scientific manuscripts, abstracts, and book chapters. He was the recipient of the Mayo Distinguished Clinician Award in 2021.
Additional leadership roles include medical director for Mayo Clinic Medical Transport for three decades and prior Chair of the Mayo Clinic Ambulance Board of Directors. He also serves on the Boards for multiple philanthropic foundations.
Scott and his wife (Dr. Jill Swanson) have four sons and three grandchildren. They enjoy family and outdoor activities, and they reside in Rochester, Minnesota.
Interested in participating in the 2025 event? The NACS Leadership Forum is by invitation only, and predominantly top executives (CEOs, COOs and vice presidents) of successful convenience retail companies operating 50+ stores. If you would like to be considered during the selection process, please sign up below.
All inquiries are subject to review. Individuals who are selected for a 2025 invitation will be contacted by the NACS Leadership Forum team.
The Leadership Forum is an exclusive event made available to our Hunter Club supplier members. NACS reserves the right to limit the number of additional registrations in order to maintain an appropriate balance between retailers and suppliers.
|
Number of Invitations |
Cost
(per attendee) |
Above Invitation Allotment
(per attendee) |
Hunter Club Gold |
4 |
$6199 |
$7599 |
Hunter Club Silver |
2 |
$6199 |
$7599 |
Hunter Club Bronze |
1 |
$6199 |
$7599 |
Current Hunter Club members are welcome to register for the Leadership Forum. Registration is open - Access Exclusive Hunter Club Registration (login required).
Please contact Leigh Walls, Director, Supplier Relations and Hunter Club Liaison at
lwalls@convenience.org for more information on becoming a NACS Hunter Club member.
All 2024 Leadership Forum events and accommodations will take place at:
The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island
4750 Amelia Island Parkway, Amelia Island, FL 32034
Telephone: (904) 277-1100
The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island — Limited Availability
NEW in 2024: All attendees are responsible for booking and guaranteeing their own hotel accommodations. A link to reserve your hotel will be included in your registration confirmation.
NACS Group Rate: $349+tax; $10 resort fee/night
Hotel Reservation Deadline: Friday, January 19, 2024
NACS has negotiated a group rate of $349/night + tax & resort fee on your behalf. All charges and hotel reservations are the responsibility of the guest. A form of payment will be required when booking your hotel accommodations. Confirmation numbers will be provided by the Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island immediately following confirmation of your reservation.
- Invited Retail Attendees: Complimentary invited retailer attendees are eligible for a reimbursement of one hotel night if all attendance requirements are met (participation in Top-to-Top appointments, if applicable and attendance at the NACS Dinner, if RSVP’d attending). Reimbursement forms will be sent to all eligible retailers at the conclusion of Leadership Forum. Paid Retail attendees will be responsible for the cost their entire hotel stay.
- Supplier Attendees: Supplier attendance is limited to NACS Hunter Club Member companies. All Hunter Club attendees will be responsible for the cost of their entire hotel stay. For more information on how to participate, please contact Leigh Walls, Director, Supplier Relations and Hunter Club Liaison at lwalls@convenience.org
Hotel reservation links will be provided in your registration confirmation once registration is complete.
Residence Inn Amelia Island
Rate: Starting at $215++ per night
Distance to the Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island: 3.6 miles from RCAI
Attendees must book their own flight accommodations. The cost of flights and ground transportation are not included in the event registration fee.
Jacksonville International Airport (JAX)
- 27.9 miles from hotel
- Travel time: 50 minutes
Fernandina Beach Municipal Airport
- 1 mile from hotel
- Travel time: 5 minutes
All transfers must be arranged by the attendees and are not included in the registration fee. Below is information Barrs Transportation to reserve transfers to/from the Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island. Cost vary depending on the number of passengers in the transfer.
Ubers and taxis are available from Jacksonville International Airport to the hotel; however due to limited Uber/taxi availability on Amelia Island, advance return ground reservations are highly recommended.
Car Service Information
For questions regarding hotel, please contact
Kaitlin Bivens
Meetings & Events Manager
kbivens@convenience.org
+1 703-518-4249
The NACS Leadership Forum is a world-class event that brings together established leaders from the convenience and fuel retailing industry to explore high-impact and meaningful approaches to business in a dynamic setting.
What is Leadership Forum?
The NACS Leadership Forum is an invitation-only event. Invitations are predominantly offered to operations, marketing, and foodservice executives of medium and large convenience retailing companies; to individuals in leadership roles from retail companies that demonstrate substantial engagement with NACS; and is an exclusive membership benefit to our Hunter Club suppliers.
How much does it cost to register for the Leadership Forum?
A full outline of event fees will be available under the “Registration” tab by September 2024.
What is the schedule of Events for Leadership Forum?
The 2025 Leadership Forum agenda will be released by September 2024. For the prior year’s schedule of events, please refer to the “Agenda” tab for an idea of what to expect.
Will I be reimbursed for my travel expenses?
All travel expenses are on your own apart from the one-night room and tax covered by NACS for qualifying retailers, past NACS chairman/presidents and 5 Star NACSPAC Donors from retail companies.
What meals are included in my registration?
Coffee breaks and some meals are included in your registration. See chart below for specifics.
Day
|
Breakfast
|
Lunch
|
Reception
|
Dinner
|
Tuesday, February 11 |
Supplier Board Only |
On Own |
|
Supplier Board Only |
Wednesday, February 12 |
|
|
|
|
Thursday, February 13 |
|
On Own |
N/A |
N/A |
What is the attire for this event?
All day-time events are business casual. Jacket (no tie) and equivalent formality for ladies is suggested for dinners and receptions.
What is the NACS Gala Dinner?
The NACS Gala dinner on Wednesday will offer an evening of networking and fellowship with other Leadership Forum attendees. Participating Hunter Club companies can host tables during the dinner. More information will come from Leigh Walls when instructions are available.
Will there be a NACSPAC Event?
Yes, there will be a NACSPAC event at the Leadership Forum on Wednesday evening. All participants must be a current Friends of NACS member and a registered Leadership Forum attendee to participate in NACSPAC events. More information will come from Katie Bohny when logistics are finalized.
What is the deadline to confirm my attendance for Leadership Forum?
Please register by Friday, January 10, 2025, so we can make and confirm your hotel reservation. Registrations will be accepted after January 10, but hotel reservations cannot be guaranteed after the deadline and are subject to availability.
How do I access the slides from the General Sessions?
Select slide decks will be available for download, with the approval for release by the presenter, on their respective session. Upon completion of the post-Forum survey, you will receive a link to review approved presentations.
Will a copy of the Leadership Forum attendee list be available?
Yes. The final attendee list will be made available on-site at the event. Past attendee lists are available. Please note, NACS does not share email addresses for any event attendees without expressed consent.
What are the Pre-Forum and Post-Forum Meetings?
NACS hosts a number of committee meetings before and after Leadership Forum. These meetings are open to committee members and invited guests only. Participation in the committee meetings does not guarantee an invitation to the Leadership Forum.
What are Top-to-Top Business meetings?
A key feature of the NACS Leadership forum program, Top-to-Top Business Meetings are 35-minute sessions hosted by participating Hunter Club supplier companies that request to meet with participating retailers. There are nine time slots for these meetings over the course of the event. The goal of these meetings is intended to be relationship building and forward looking.
As a retailer, how can I participate in the Top-to-Top Business Meetings?
During the registration process, all retailers must indicate if they are available for Top-to-Top Business Meetings for each day. If you indicate you are available, your name and company will be shared with the participating suppliers so they can request a meeting with you. If a request is received, the NACS team will confirm your meeting time slot. Full participation is encouraged when meetings are requested. Exceptions can be made in the instance of business conflicts. All communications related to Top-to-Tops for participating retailers will come from Leigh Walls. Please contact her with any questions.
As a supplier, how can I participate in the Top-to-Top Business Meetings?
A limited number of suites are available for purchase by Hunter Club members to host one-on-one private meetings with retailers. Meetings are 35 minutes and will take place on Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons. Please contact Leigh Walls for more information.
What is the cancellation policy for the Leadership Forum?
The NACS Leadership Forum is a world-class, invitation-only event made possible by the generous financial support of the participating supplier companies. Invited retailer attendees are strongly encouraged to be available for Top-to-Top Business Meetings and all other networking events when requested by suppliers. Final review/confirmation of all your event details will be provided approximately one week prior to the event.
To cancel your participation, please contact Kaitlin Bivens on or before Friday, January 24, 2025. Any fees paid will be returned in full if written cancellation notice is provided by January 24, 2025. After January 24, 2025, NACS will review all refund requests to assess forfeiture, full or partial refund depending on circumstances.
Is there any fine print I should be aware of?
By attending the event, all attendees consent to the terms and conditions below.