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

Convenience stores are cornerstones within our communities—they are a great place for creating jobs (many first jobs) and a place everyone visits. They are places of togetherness! C-stores support their communities through grassroots agendas, such as supporting youth sporting activities, educational funding and getting involved in local student participation programs. Communities matter. 

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

NACS allows myself and members of the Minnesota Service Station and Convenience Store Association to build stronger relationships with Minnesota’s federal congressional delegation. Communication is essential to our political platforms and the future of our industry, and engagement is key to the survival. NACS provides informative data leading to better opportunities to a better tomorrow. 

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

All of them … there are so many issues that touch our industry, including flavor bans on tobacco, EPA requirements, labor issues and more! Of course, credit card fees are always on our mind.

What c-store product could you not live without?

Mountain Dew Kickstart and Wenzel’s Farm beef sticks. Kickstart has only 80 calories per can and the Wenzel’s Farm beef sticks are the real deal! Just call me Bubba!