Julie Miller is the director of personnel for Fat Dogs Travel Centers in Nebraska. She is a people person—a quality she has turned into a full-time role in the convenience industry. She says that “no two days are the same” at her job.
“I have the opportunity to recruit, develop and coach many of our teammates in a number of different ways. I enjoy seeing folks grow into new roles and develop new skillsets,” Miller said. “I get to encourage potential hires on a daily basis to join our team in the convenience world. And it is easy to do so. We are passionate about what we do and who we serve.”
Julie Miller was a 2025 recipient of the NACS Foundation Future Fund scholarship. She is currently pursuing her bachelor’s degree in human resources management at Wayne State College.
Why She Loves Working in the Convenience Industry
We are a daily stop for many. But we are also a stop for folks on business trips, fun vacations and maybe trips that aren’t what they had planned. Our teammates get to be the friendly faces with whom our customers share their best days, along with their not-so-great days. We are honored to be a regular part of our customers’ lives.
What She Finds Most Fulfilling About Her Job
Helping teammates become a better version of themselves. When they arrive as a new hire, I get to share the vision. As they continue to grow with us, I get to highlight what being a good employee looks like and how we use our core values as a compass in our daily decision making.
I get to be there to promote them to the next level of their careers and guide them in how to be the trusted leaders our teams are looking for. I can’t think of anything more fulfilling in a workplace than to encourage and play a part in the development of people.
A Memorable Moment at Work
I have had many, but a recent one was watching the teamwork and support that a teammate exemplified. We asked an associate in one of our convenience stores to help out in our food concept location 50 miles away while we worked to rebuild that team. He was excited to help and relocated for three weeks to do so. He was diligent in showing up, excited to be the support this location needed and never once complained when the lines were long or the work wasn’t easy.
When his three weeks were up, there were tears from the manager, the teammates and this individual who went out of his way to help. It was so special to see this compassionate, human side of the business and it truly reminded me of why I do what I do.
