Many of our convenience industry leaders began at the store level. Through hard work and commitment to learning, these employees followed career paths to senior leadership positions. Since 1994, the NACS Foundation Scholarship Program has recognized and supported the convenience store employees who demonstrate the potential and the determination to hold future positions of senior leadership in the industry.

The program provides a way for convenience and fuel retailers to retain, reward and develop the next generation of industry innovators. The deadline to nominate a NACS retail member company employee and apply for a scholarship is Monday, June 7. Selected applicants are awarded $3,000 each for costs of undergraduate or community college education. In addition, scholarship recipients receive a stipend to attend the 2021 NACS Show in Chicago, where they will be recognized during a special evening ceremony and given a firsthand opportunity to learn more about the exciting career paths in the convenience industry.

The program’s commitment to recognizing and developing future leaders honors the memory of industry icon Jim Yates, founder of E-Z Mart Stores and former NACS chairman from 1992–93. In 2011, a donation from Altria expanded the program to include honoring the memory of David Erickson, former CEO of Erickson Oil Products. Since its creation, the NACS Scholarship Program has awarded more than half a million dollars in scholarships to employees of NACS retail member companies who demonstrate leadership potential. Now through June 7, you can help recognize a rising leader within your company. Visit www.conveniencecares.org/Future-Fund for more information, including eligibility and how to apply.