ATLANTA – NACS scholarship winners will be recognized during a reception in their honor on Monday, October 14, at the NACS Show.
The NACS Scholarship Program, created in memory of Jim Yates and David Erickson, recognizes those who are taking a similar path toward industry leadership through hard work, a commitment to learning, and the potential and determination to influence the industry’s future.
The 2013 scholarship winners are:
• Tiffany Payne, Wallis Companies (Cuba, MO)
• Christine Reich, Quick Chek Corporation (Whitehouse Station, NJ)
• Sarah Audry Mahan, CEFCO Convenience Stores (Temple, TX) (previous winner)
• Megan Scotton, Stripes LLC (Corpus Christi, TX) (previous winner)
• Nicole Dilger, Turkey Hill Minit Markets a div. of The Kroger Co. (Lancaster, PA)
• Kristen Pope, Murphy Oil USA Inc. (El Dorado, AR)
• Ruth Kee, Wag-A-Bag Inc. (Round Rock, TX)
• Joseph Russo, Quick Chek Corporation (Whitehouse Station, NJ)
• Taedeen Stanley, RaceTrac Petroleum Inc. (Atlanta, GA)
• Derek Trout, Bobby & Steve's Auto World (Minneapolis, MN)
• Jared Jensen, Bobby & Steve's Auto World (Minneapolis, MN)
NACS established the scholarship program in 1999 in memory of Jim Yates, founder of E-Z Mart Stores Inc. and 1992-1993 NACS chairman. In 2011, a founding donation from Altria in the name of David Erickson, former CEO of Erickson Oil Products Inc., was created.
Winners receive $3,000 toward the costs of undergraduate career education — community college or university. The scholarship also provides travel, attendance and lodging at the NACS Show.
To be considered for the award, applicants must be employees of a NACS retail member company. They also must be enrolled in undergraduate academic study. Scholarships are one-year awards. Recipients may re-apply each year, for up to four years if they continue to meet the eligibility requirements.
The Convenience Store Foundation for Education and Research funds the scholarship program. To make a corporate or individual donation at any time, please visit nacsonline.com/yates.
The NACS Show, which runs through Oct. 15 at the Georgia World Congress Center, is ranked as the 47th largest tradeshow in the United States and is ranked fourth in the country for attracting attendees responsible for buying plans. More than 23,000 attendees from 60-plus countries are at the NACS Show, which features three days of general sessions, more than 50 educational sessions and 1,050 exhibiting companies in a 392,000 net-square-foot exposition floor. For the most up-to-date news and information on the event go to www.nacsshow.com.