What role in the community do you think convenience stores should play?

Convenience stores have long been—and continue to be—part of the fabric of the community by providing customers with the products and services they need to make their days a little easier. It is our obligation to serve and to give back to our communities in a very responsible way, and most importantly, to provide our customers with a unique shopping experience—which is fast, friendly and fresh each and every day.

What does NACS political engagement mean to you and what benefits have you experienced from being politically engaged?

The NACS government relations team is among the best in Washington. That said, if we (the convenience retail industry) want to make a difference on the Hill, let’s focus on moving mountains with the collective voices of the millions of convenience store employees. Together we can make a difference and it will be very gratifying for everyone involved. When I am politically engaged, I am left with a feeling of making a difference. Traveling to D.C. to participate in Day on the Hill can be the most rewarding day of the year.

What federal legislative or regulatory issues keep you up at night (with respect to the convenience store industry)?

The only legislative issues that keep me up at night are the decisions that are made by the ill-informed or the politically motivated. I worry about any government intervention that is not driven by the free market, which is always the best for the consumer. We have experienced many legislative issues over recent years that have driven up cost to unsustainable levels—costs have reached a tipping point beyond affordability.