LAS VEGAS, 2015-10-14 — /EPR Retail News/ — The National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) recognized 11 college students who were selected as recipients of a $3,000 scholarship, awarded by the NACS Scholarship Program.
In addition to the scholarship, each of the recipients received a stipend to attend the 2015 NACS Show in Las Vegas, October 11–14, where they were recognized during a special ceremony on Tuesday, October 13, and given the first-hand opportunity to learn more about exciting career paths in the industry. Each student was nominated by a company official for their academic excellence, leadership and passion for convenience and fuel retailing.
The 2015–16 NACS Scholarship recipients, each of whom is currently employed with a NACS retail member company, are:
- Matthew Brien, Delta Technician & Customer Advisor, Delta Sonic Car Wash Systems Inc.
- Gregory Campbell, Sales Associate, RaceTrac Petroleum, Inc.
- Sahara Dickinson, Sales Associate, Sheetz, Inc
- Briana Dolechek, Cashier, The Hub Convenience Store
- Matthew Hamrick, Pharmacy Technician, Giant Eagle
- Shannon Hurley, IT Coordinator, Cenex Zip Trip (CHS Inc.)
- Michael Jones, District Leader–Indianapolis Market, GetGo/Giant Eagle
- Kevin Kautzman, District Supervisor–Staffing & Training Manager, Kum & Go
- Loretta Kennis, Quality Assurance Field Specialist, Sheetz, Inc
- Gyasi McClarence, Point of Sale Analyst, Cumberland Farms Gulf Group
- Derek Trout, Shift Leader, Bobby and Steve’s Auto World
The NACS Scholarship Program helps NACS retail members recognize and develop future convenience store industry leaders. The program was established in 1999 to honor the memory of industry icon Jim Yates, founder of E-Z Mart Stores and former NACS Chairman. In 2011, a donation from Altria expanded the program to include honoring the memory of David Erickson, former CEO of Erickson Oil Products.
Now in its 16th year, the NACS Scholarship Program continues to provide a way for NACS retail members to recognize, reward and inspire top talent within their companies by investing in their employees’ education and excellence.
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Founded in 1961 as the National Association of Convenience Stores, NACS (nacsonline.com) is the international association for convenience and fuel retailing. The U.S. convenience store industry, with more than 152,700 stores across the country, posted $696.1 billion in total sales in 2014, of which $482.6 billion were motor fuels sales. NACS has 2,100 retail and 1,600 supplier member companies, which do business in nearly 50 countries.