NACS State of the Industry Summit

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.

Lyle is the Senior Vice President, Government Relations of NACS in Alexandria, Virginia.

Lyle has over 25 years of experience with NACS. He originally joined the NACS team in 1985 where he served as the Government Relations Manager. After leaving NACS in 1986, he held many prestigious positions including Executive Director for the Beverage Retailers Against Driving Drunk and Vice President of Kostmayer Communications. In 1994, he returned to NACS as the Senior Vice President, Government Relations. Lyle is responsible for the design and implementation of strategies to successfully achieve the Association’s government relations objectives.

Lyle graduated from Pennsylvania State University with a Bachelor of Science in Horticulture. He and Maureen Flanagan are the proud parents of one son, Aidan.

Paul is a subject matter expert in convenience store merchandising. He currently has responsibility for Chevron Extra Mile merchandising (including category management and supply chain) as well as Chevron Canada Town Pantry merchandising, in total over 800 locations. He has considerable experience working with franchisees, retailers and company owned-operated networks. He has worked for Chevron for 22 years, having joined Chevron after starting his professional career with Circle K Corporation in 1987. He has significant work experience in both the US and internationally, having previously held work assignments or responsibilities throughout Latin America and the Caribbean, Europe, Africa and Asia. His last 5+ years have been focused on establishing and continuously evolving the Extra Mile consumer offer.

He has previously served on the NACS Convention Committee as well as numerous supplier and industry advisory councils.

Denton has been with OPIS since 2001 and serves as the Chief Oil Analyst, responsible for the day to day operations of OPIS’ news and analysis division. In his role, Denton also provides big picture views to OPIS subscribers on a variety of topics from supply and demand trends to anticipating price moves in the futures, spot and retail markets in North America.

During his time at OPIS, Denton has covered a variety of markets from Natural Gas Liquids to U.S. refined spot markets. Before becoming the Chief Oil Analyst, Denton was leading the OPIS refined spots team.

He has been widely quoted and interviewed as an expert forecasting the price of oil and retail gasoline and diesel explaining what moves can mean for the consumer as well as the industry as a whole. Denton is a frequent contributor for major media outlets such as Fox Business, CNBC, MSNBC and CBS News.

Denton is a graduate of Rutgers University and football letter winner.

Heather Davis, the Director of Foodservice for Parker’s, is responsible for all food service operations across 68 total locations, with 46 Parker’s Kitchen locations offering a full foodservice menu. Parker’s Kitchen, the popular food-centric brand under the Parker’s umbrella, serves world-famous hand-breaded Southern Fried Chicken Tenders as well as made-from-scratch mac ‘n’ cheese, a breakfast bar and daily specials. Under her leadership, Parker’s was named the Foodservice Leader of the Year by Convenience Store News in 2018.

Since joining Parker’s in 2017, Heather has launched the famous Parker’s Fried Chicken Tender Sandwich program and has increased cold grab-and-go offerings to include fresh salads, sandwiches, and desserts. These expanding offerings are in addition to her focus on improved menu efficiencies and recipe enhancements across the foodservice program.

Parker’s is known for its technologically driven efficiencies, and Heather has worked with the Parker’s Technology and Business Intelligence team to implement the innovative SmartKitchen, which allows Parker’s Kitchen to predict food demand, keeping food fresh and stocked for customers while reducing waste. Additionally, she served on the team that rolled out customer facing ordering kiosks to Parker’s Kitchen locations.

Heather has also enhanced the company’s focus on food safety since joining the team, expanding her internal team and developing relationships with external partners to ensure a best-in-class program.

Prior to joining Parker’s, Heather served as Director of Operations for a regional 7-store fast casual restaurant group.

Currently, Colin is the Senior Director of Operations, overseeing the entire Operations Department at Coen. Coen directly operates 56 locations today, including those with its CoenKitchen featuring a full breakfast menu; bean to cup coffee; Our Famous Chicken, made from fresh, hand-breaded chicken; JoJos from-scratch pizza and pepperoni rolls; and an assortment of made-to-order sandwiches. Coen Markets was founded in 1923 and has been constantly evolving over the years to meet consumer demands. Currently Coen is underway on a massive rebranding focus on the forecourt to standardize fuel offer while bringing back the iconic Amoco brand in the Pittsburgh Market. Colin has held several roles with Coen, including interim IT Lead, interim Finance Lead, Corporate Development and FP&A Manager and more. Colin has been heavily incorporated in Coen's most recent M&A Activities (Selling Coen Energy 2017, Acquiring CoGo's Co in 2018, and various real estate transactions dating back to 2014).

Colin is currently a member of the NACS Political Engagement Committee, and a tech minded individual that loves to explore the art of the possible, while keeping in mind that not everything is applicable.

Colin graduated from The Pennsylvania State University in 2011 with a degree in Economics. Born and raised in Pittsburgh and now enjoys the benefit of building out Coen's foot print across the Pittsburgh MSA.

Mr. Gaskins’ primary responsibility is to direct all marketing, merchandising and procurement efforts for the Yesway brand, as well as to develop relationships with Yesway’s supplier vendors. He leads the efforts to establish a marketing and merchandising playbook to improve the organizations go to market strategic plan. He also helps to further cultivate the growth and stewardship of the fast growing Yesway brand with a keen focus on ensuring the organizations social, mobile, and loyalty initiatives are best in class.

Prior to joining Yesway, Mr. Gaskins most recently served as Chief Customer Officer for Rutter’s convenience stores & Dairy business. He was instrumental in developing their award winning customer engagement programs and positioned the brand as one of the best in the retail industry. Before Rutter’s, Mr. Gaskins was Senior Vice President of Marketing and Merchandising with Mid-Atlantic Convenience Stores (MACS) and led the development of the Circle K brand. Prior to MACS he served as Vice President of Marketing with NACS- The Association for Convenience and Fuel Retailing and positioned the organization for unprecedented digital and global growth. His other prior experiences include leading the brand marketing for Giant Eagle where he led the development of the GetGo chain of convenience stores, and launched the Fuelperks fuel rewards loyalty program.

His other prior experiences include a number of major companies including Nabisco Foods, Goldman Sachs, and Procter & Gamble. He is an experienced brand developer, chief marketer, merchant, and innovator that has launched numerous packaged goods, CRM and retail brands and store formats.

Mr. Gaskins holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the University of Iowa and an MBA in Finance, Marketing, and Real Estate from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.

The MAPCO team of more than 3,200 dedicated employees with a strong commitment to customer service delivers Convenience You Can TRUST® at more than 340 company-owned convenience and fuel retailing stores. Operating in Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, Arkansas, Virginia, Kentucky and Mississippi, MAPCO stores offer a wide array of high-quality products and services. Customers can refresh and recharge with freshly brewed coffee, packaged snacks and drinks, high-quality fuel and special deals through the industry-leading MY Reward$ loyalty program. MAPCO and its subsidiaries also operate a fuel logistics business comprised of more than 100 tankers and a fuel wholesale and fleet group serving more than 125 accounts. MAPCO is a subsidiary of COPEC, a leading South America-based retail company.

I enjoy the networking and the sharing of ideas with others in our CPG community. The Network of Executive Women’s Nashville group has been highly beneficial and inspiring to me. I greatly enjoy the analytical side of merchandising, so a large portion of my time is spent working through Nielsen trend data, and internal guest trends at MAPCO.

I have worked in retail since my teen years and hold a Bachelor's degree in Merchandising. After graduation I worked as a Buyer, Manager and Analyst within e-commerce, small business, Fortune 200 corporate retail and now C-store corporate retail. I moved to the Nashville area 10 years ago as a native of Colorado. I currently enjoy life in beautiful Franklin, Tennessee with a very energetic 5 year old, who reaps the sweet and salty perks of my managing the Snack and Candy categories.

James Jacko is the Senior Category Manager for Coen Markets, Inc. (a convenience retail chain in the Tri-State region of Pittsburgh, PA) where he manages several retail categories for the chain.

James previously spent 10 years in the convenience store distribution industry with a regional distribution company in the Pittsburgh market. He held various positions in the company including Category Manager for multiple center store categories from procurement to sale and Space Planning Professional where he learned to hone his capacity for data analytics. James was also a member of an independent data analytics panel that sought to make information more actionable for all levels of the convenience store industry. Currently, James manages all center store and beverage categories for Coen Markets. He brings a perspective and understanding of data that sheds new light on how the industry can dissect and steer categories for the future. James resides in South Park, PA with his wife and 3 beautiful children.

Andy is the third generation in the family business. He began working at the full-service gas station at the age of 10. After graduating college, he worked for Georgia Pacific in Atlanta. In 1991, Andy returned home and began learning all aspects of the family business. In 1997, Sprint Food Stores was formed. Currently, Andy is President and CEO of Sprint Food Stores, MB Jones Oil Company and Town and Country Gas. He also is on the Executive Committee of both Georgia Oilmen’s Association and Augusta Tomorrow. Andy is on the Board of Governors of Augusta Country Club. He is also Past Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Episcopal Day School of Augusta.

Leroy Kelsey is the director of research at NACS and is responsible for disseminating key industry metrics that provide NACS retail and supplier members with performance benchmarks, shopper insights and information critical to the industry’s advocacy efforts on payment cards, motor fuels and tobacco. Prior to NACS, he spent five years with Intel and Motorola and five years with Safeway in a variety of roles in business analytics, finance and cost control. Kelsey received a BS in industrial engineering from North Carolina State University in Raleigh, an MBA from The Carey Business School at Johns Hopkins University and an executive certificate in finance from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.

He and Tracy Kelsey are the proud parents of two daughters, Avery and Kennedy. He has run with the bulls in Pamplona, Spain, but more recently enjoys quiet evenings with the family.

Chris Long has led the Age Verified Category Management team at Kum & Go as the Director over Alcohol, Tobacco, Lottery, and Services since 2019. Prior to that, he worked at Yesway, with responsibilities for both Packaged Beverages and Alcohol. Before shifting to a retail role, he had almost 15 years of experience with Anheuser-Busch and Altria within their Sales and Marketing functions.

After growing up and going to school in Texas, Chris has lived in the Des Moines metro area since 2006 with his wife and two young daughters.

He is a member of the Winsight/Technomic Operator’s Advisory Council and was recognized in 2018 by CSD Magazine as one of their 40 under 40.

Chuck graduated from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 1986 in Electrical Engineering and earned an MBA from Harvard Business School in 1991. In 1993, Chuck married Crystal Call, also an HBS 1991 graduate, and moved to Salt Lake City, shortly thereafter opening their first hotel, Crystal Inn. Together, they grew the portfolio to 14 hotels. Since 2011, Chuck served in various roles including Director, Chief Operating Officer and President of FJM Management, also serving its subsidiaries as Board Chairman for Big West Oil and TAB Bank. In 2016, Chuck was named Chief Adventure Guide for Maverik, Inc., the premier regional convenience retailer operating 300 stores across the intermountain west from its base camp in Salt Lake City. Crystal and Chuck enjoy skiing, bicycling, boating and travel with their four children: Drew, 21; Lexi, 18; and twins Hailey and Erica, 16. He is an avid pilot and has been an active member of Young Presidents Organization since 1997.

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.

Mr. Rupp has more than 30 years’ experience starting in 1991 with Speedway. He held various Operations and Marketing positions in addition to Commercial positions. Over the last 18 years at Speedway, he held the following positions:

2002-2006 Marketing Category Management
2006-2010 Operations Region Management
2010-2012 Operations Division Director
2012-2014 Commercial and Business Development Director
2014-2018 Vice President Operations Speedway East
2018-Current Senior Vice President Marketing

Mr. Rupp graduated from Miami University in 1991 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing and attended the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill Executive Development program at UNC’s Kenan-Flagler Business School in 2012. In 2014 Mr. Rupp joined the New England Convenience Store and Energy Marketers Association, (NECSEMA) and was appointed a board member in 2015. In 2019 Mr. Rupp attended the Harvard Business School Executive class “Leading Change and Organizational Renewal”. Additionally, in 2019 Mr. Rupp was appointed to the NACS Research committee and the Coca-Cola/NACS Research Council.

Mr. Rupp and his wife are the parents of two children.

Lori Buss Stillman is Vice President of Research for NACS, leading the association’s portfolio offerings in support of industry performance benchmarking and analysis, labor and compensation insights, consumer tracking and custom research solutions. Stillman joined NACS in September 2019, following her role as EVP of Analytics, Insights and Intelligence for Advantage Solutions. She has additionally held leadership roles with Nielsen, Information Resources and Webco General Partnership. Her passion for industry disruptive trends and expertise in the FMCG retail landscape have attracted a wide following. Stillman is a sought-after speaker, having shared her deep insights and thought leadership at key industry, trade and supplier events. Lori earned her B.A. in Business Communications from Maryville University of Saint Louis. She is a member of the Path-to-Purchase Faculty and serves on the board of both the Coca-Cola NACS Retail Research Council and Conexxus.

Scheeler began his career in the convenience industry in 1998 while attending college. He held multiple roles with the Minneapolis-based Bobby & Steves Auto World, most recently as Director of Convenience Store Operations for the 8-store chain. In 2014, Scheeler founded The Hub Convenience Stores in southwest North Dakota. During his industry career, Scheeler has been an active partner with the Minnesota Service Station Association as well as the ND Petroleum Marketers Association on state level industry and political affairs. In 2008, Scheeler was named to the Philip Morris USA Retail Sales Associate Council. In 2013 National Petroleum News named him National Legislative Leader of the Year. He has served on the CSP Fare Advisory Council since 2014. Recently, Scheeler hosted one of the first NACS In Store events with ND Congressman Kevin Cramer. He also testified on behalf of NACS in front of the House Small Business Committee in Washington, D.C. regarding EMV. In 2015, The Hub won the North Dakota Division of Vocational Rehab Regional Employer of the Year under Scheelers leadership. Jared was named one of the Convenience Industrys Top 40 under 40 by Convenience Store Decisions in late 2015. Scheeler is a 5-star NACSPAC member.

Scheeler attended the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities where he studied business and psychology. He also coaches high school basketball and is an avid volunteer for Dickinson Catholic Schools, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and Special Olympics. Scheeler and his wife DeAnn live in Dickinson, North Dakota, with their three children, and are expecting a fourth in the summer of 2016.

Kevin Smartt, CEO of TXB Stores formerly Kwik Chek Food Stores, has been involved in the retail business for 18 years. Kevin began his retail / marketing experience with Frito Lay, Inc. out of Plano, Texas. He held various sales and marketing positions while based out their Plano headquarters. Kevin has spent the last 14 years with Kwik Chek / McCraw Oil Company. The first seven years, Kevin held positions of VP of Operations and President of Kwik Chek, the retail division of the company. In 2001, Kevin and a partner bought Kwik Chek / McCraw Oil Company, where Kevin has served as CEO since the acquisition.

Kwik Chek and McCraw Oil Company employee 600 employees and serve the Texas & Oklahoma markets. Kevin hold’s several board positions on local civic and charitable organizations. He is also on the board of Texas Petroleum Convenience Store Association, and the Oklahoma Petroleum Marketers Association.

Kevin obtained his degree from the University of Texas at Arlington.

Kevin has been married for 17 years, and has three children.

Taets represents NACS before Congress and the administration on issues such as labor issues, taxes, health care, and internet gaming. He joined NACS in March of 2014 after spending over a decade on Capitol Hill. Prior to working for NACS, he worked in the offices of Representatives Leonard Lance and Vito Fossella as well as working on various political campaigns.

Jake is a 21-year veteran of Kwik Trip Inc. holding a variety of positions in Retail Operations, Merchandising and Category Management. Unloading trucks at his hometown Kwik Trip was the first step towards his current role as the Director of Category Management and Procurement. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his wife and two sons. He is an avid bar league softball player and a passionate fan of all Wisconsin collegiate and professional sports.

Category Manager of Cigarette for the past 9 years at RaceTrac Petroleum. RaceTrac operates 500+ stores located in Georgia, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, Alabama, and Texas. I am responsible for the overall strategy, merchandising, and forecasting as well as developing specific growth plans for each market and region. Love thinking outside the box and incorporating digital technology whenever possible.

Attended the University of Arkansas and currently serve as VP of the NATO board of directors. I am an advocate for Oceana, JDRF and the Celiac Foundation. Outside of work, I enjoy the beach, running and cycling with my husband, attending my daughters Tennis matches, Visiting Disney and Universal Theme parks and taking Disney Cruises with my family. I am also a new mom to a 15-month-old French bulldog named Gus that never leaves my side.

JJoe has more than 44 years of experience in the retail grocery industry, the convenience store industry, petroleum procurement and government relations. Over the past 24 years at Kwik Trip, he has held the following positions:

1997-2000 District Leader
Responsible for over 20 Kwik Trip convenience stores

2000-2017 Petroleum Procurement
Responsible for petroleum procurement

2018-Present Industry and Trade Association Manager
Represents Kwik Trip in Washington D.C., the three state governments of Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa, and the trade associations Kwik Trip is active in.

Here is a list of some of the trade associations Joe is involved with:

NACS: Political Action Committee, Research Committee, Convention Committee

SIGMA: Board of Directors

NATSO: Board of Directors, Chairman of Leadership Committee

Wisconsin Petroleum Marketers: Board of Directors

FUEL Iowa: Executive Committee

7 Rivers Economic Development: Chairman

Joe has been married to his wife Kathleen for 44 years, has two grown children and four grandchildren.