ALEXANDRIA, Va. — NACS has announced the 10 convenience store employees who will receive a 2008 NACS Yates Scholarship, a program that annually recognizes employees in the convenience store industry for their dedication to achieving excellence in retailing, strong leadership skills at the store level and persistence in the pursuit of education.

The 2008 NACS Yates Scholarship winners are:
* Douglas Ansley (Murphy Oil USA Inc.)
* Elizabeth Harn (The Parker Companies)
* Vicki Harris (Grace Energy/Fastrip)
* Eric Medina (Turkey Hill Mini Markets)
* Justin Mitchell (Maverik Inc.)
* Diane Soto (Texas Star Investments)
* Pamela Stanford (Triangle Stop Food Stores)
* Jose Vazquez (Town & Country Food Stores/Susser Holdings)
* James Wisniewski (Wawa Inc.)
* Darrel Youngblood (Susser Petroleum LLC)

NACS established the program in 1999 in memory of Jim Yates, founder of E-Z Mart Stores Inc. and 1992-1993 NACS chairman. Each scholarship winner will receive $3,000 for costs of career education (community college or a four-year college) and complimentary registration and travel to the NACS Show, which will take place October 4 to 7, 2008, in Chicago. The scholarship winners will be recognized at the NACS Leadership Alumni Reception on Sunday, October 5.

Here are brief biographies of this year’s scholarship winners:

Doug Ansley
Doug Ansley is an assistant manager at Murphy Oil USA. He just earned his associate’s degree from Rhodes State College in business management and is currently pursuing his bachelor’s degree from Franklin University in business administration. Ansley’s goal is to become fuel pricing analyst for Murphy. He also earned a 2007 Yates Scholarship.

Elizabeth (Beth) Harn
Beth Harn is the human resources manager for The Parker Companies and is entering her junior year at Armstrong Atlantic State University where she is majoring in economics.  She has been with The Parker Companies for six years and is proud to be part of a company that takes pride in being the best at what they do. “Beth has the drive and potential to be in any position in this company,” said Amy Lane, COO for The Parker Companies. Harn also earned a 2007 Yates Scholarship.

Vicki Harris
Vicki Harris is an assistant manager for Grace Energy Corporation/Fastrip and is in her final year at Missouri State University, pursuing a degree in human resource management. “Vicki is a role model to other employees because she leads by example,” said her supervisor, Robin Hulette. Harris earned a Yates Scholarship all four years of her college career.

Eric Medina
Eric Medina is a sales associate with Turkey Hill Minit Markets and in his junior year at Kutztown University, pursuing a bachelor’s degree in business administration and accounting.  Medina “is a team-oriented person and works well with all levels of employees,” said Lisa Diamond, manager for Turkey Hill Mini Markets. Medina will be the first in his family to earn a college degree.

Justin Mitchell
Justin Mitchell is the service technician manager for Maverik Inc. He is in his sophomore year at Snow College, where he is working on his associate’s degree in business. “Justin has jumped at every opportunity to attend industry level events where he was able to increase his knowledge and experience,” said Shon Call, director of store technology at Maverik.

Diane Soto
Diane Soto is a district manager for Texas Star Investments. She is in her junior year at Texas A&M Corpus Christi, majoring in sociology/business. Soto has been a convenience store manager for eleven years and a district manager for two years. “Diane takes her knowledge and ideas and does a great job of inspiring her staff,” said Tabor Brooks, vice president of Texas Star Investments.

Dianne (Pamela) Stanford
Dianne is a store manager for Triangle Stop Food Stores, pursuing a degree in computer information technology at Blue Ridge Community College where she is a sophomore. “Dianne doesn’t do anything halfway and is willing to work hard for her desire of success,” said Teresa Hill, general manager for Four Seasons Triangle Stops.

Jose Vazquez
Jose Vazquez is a sales associate with Susser/Stripes and is in his sophomore year at Del Mar College, pursuing a degree in business administration. “Jose demonstrates a sincere desire to serve the customer to the highest degree,” said Joe De Los Santos, manager for Susser/Stripes. 

James (Jim) Wisniewski
Jim Wisniewski is a general manager with Wawa Inc. and in his final year at Rider University, majoring in business management. He volunteers with the SIDS Foundation, a charity in which Wawa is also involved. Wisniewski “has an eye for marketing a store and for training and inspiring those that work with him,” said Joe Bendas, Wawa’s area manager. Wisniewski has earned a Jim Yates Scholarship all four years of his college career.

Darrel Youngblood
Darrel Youngblood is the sales account manager for Susser Petroleum and is a junior at Capella University, majoring in marketing this fall. “Darrel is committed not only to personal success, but to the success of the customers and his team members,” said Terry Tesch, director of fuel sales at Susser Petroleum. Youngblood has been in the convenience and petroleum retailing industry for 15 years.

To qualify for a NACS Yates Scholarship, applicants must be employed and nominated by a convenience store company that is a NACS member. Applications for 2009 scholarships will be available in February 2009.