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

At IFRA, our motto is “neighbors serving neighbors,” and it’s more than a slogan, it’s at the core of everything we do as an industry. Convenience stores play a much-needed role in the communities they serve by providing jobs and economic opportunity, and so many of our members generously give back as well. Whether its supporting youth sports or helping raise money for a good cause, convenience stores are there when it matters. Lastly, in a post-COVID world when countless other retailers have shortened their hours of operation, many convenience stores remain open 24/7, every day, to serve customers.

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

Political engagement is central to why associations like IFRA affiliate with NACS—its advocacy. It’s about giving a voice to our members as the legislative process unfolds in Washington, D.C. The influence that NACS wields among policymakers is its No. 1 member service.

The benefits of being and continuing to stay politically engaged are numerous. Engagement with legislators, government agencies and their staff allow associations to have a significant impact on the regulatory environment. Changes with respect to tobacco, taxation, the environment and government spending can without a doubt impact our members’ operations, growth, and bottom line. By staying politically engaged, IFRA is better able to understand and anticipate these changes, enabling us to adapt our lobbying strategies accordingly.

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

For me, it’s the federal government’s approach to incentivizing electric vehicles. Obviously, automakers seem to have largely bought into the idea of an EV future, but it’s hard to gauge the viability of the industry—and what kind of capital expenditures our members should be considering—when Washington passes legislation like the Inflation Reduction Act, which contained a $12.5 billion subsidy for purchasing an electric vehicle.

Serious questions remain about how real the demand is, the technology and just how far and how quickly Washington will go to make electric vehicles mainstream if the marketplace doesn’t seem to trend in that direction. In addition to consumer demand and supply chain issues, we need to create a competitive market for EV charging and remove obstacles for private sector investment and participation to ensure convenience and fuel retailers are able to offer EV charging to their customers and compete for EV charging business.

What c-store product could you not live without?

100%, the soda fountain! The flavors, the variety, the delicious ice … everything about it. It’s a product that our industry does really well.