NACS Scholarship Program Recognizes Leadership Potential

This year’s 11 scholarship recipients were nominated by a company official for their academic excellence, leadership and passion for convenience and fuel retailing.

August 29, 2016

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Eleven college students received big news last month when they learned they were selected as recipients of a $3,000 scholarship through the NACS Scholarship Program—one of three signature programs supported by the NACS Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

The NACS Scholarship Program has a long-standing mission to grow today’s top talent into tomorrow’s top performers through continuing education and professional development opportunities. Established in 1991, the NACS Scholarship was created as a means for retailers to recognize, reward and inspire rising leaders within their companies. The program’s commitment to recognizing and developing future leaders within the convenience channel honors the memory of industry icon Jim Yates, founder of E-Z Mart Stores and former NACS chairman from 1992–1993. In 2011, a large donation from a NACS member company expanded the program to include honoring the memory of David Erickson, former CEO of Erickson Oil Products.

Each year, the NACS Foundation distributes up to 11 scholarships through its scholarship program in the amount of $3,000 each for costs toward undergraduate career education at a community college or university. Since its inception, the program has awarded more than $400,000 in scholarships to NACS retail member company employees.

In addition to the $3,000 scholarship, each of the recipients will receive a stipend to attend the 2016 NACS Show in Atlanta, October 18–21, where they will be recognized during a special evening ceremony on Thursday, October 20 and given the firsthand opportunity to learn more about the 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 2016-2017 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 System Inc., NY
  • Daniel Brown, Sales Associate, Kwik Shop, KS
  • Chelsea Call, Category and Merchandising Specialist, Ricker Oil Co., IN
  • Melissa Callahan, Store Development Administrative Coordinator, QuikTrip, OK
  • Noah Cotton, Network Technician, RaceTrac Petroleum Inc., GA
  • Briana Dolechek, Shift Leader, The Hub Convenience Stores, Inc., ND
  • Jeremy Fluegge, Guest Service Coordinator, Kwik Trip Inc., WI
  • Austin Frye, Guest Services Leader, Kwik Trip Inc. #624, WI
  • Matthew Hamrick, Pharmacy Technician, Giant Eagle, OH
  • Susan Hathcook, Training Store Manager, Clipper Petroleum, GA
  • Jeffery Moreno, Retail G/L Accountant, Wheels of CT Inc., CT

To learn how you can help develop the next generation of leaders in the convenience and fuel retailing industry by contributing to the NACS Scholarship Program, visit nacsonline.com/NACSscholarship.

About the NACS Foundation
The NACS Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization dedicated to building talent and stronger communities. Its three primary programs—NACS Scholarship Program (in memory of Jim Yates and David Erickson), NACS Internship Program (in memory of Teri Richman) and NACS Program for Community and Industry Advancement—facilitate the year-round educational growth of upcoming and current leaders in the convenience and fuel retailing industry. As convenience channel employees move through their careers, the NACS Foundation provides something for them at every turn. It helps to build a stronger industry by advancing knowledge and leadership through scholarships; fostering the growth of the next generation through unique internship experiences; and supporting targeted outreach initiatives—such as the NACS reFresh initiative—to improve the communities where NACS members live and work.To help grow the industry programs that the NACS Foundation supports by making a tax deductible donation, click here.

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