CSP has named Joe Hamza, chief operating officer of Nouria Energy, as its 2026 Retail Leader of the Year.
“It’s a tremendous honor to recognize Joe Hamza as CSP’s 2026 Retail Leader of the Year. He embodies the very essence of this award—self-driven, community-minded, mentor to many and a radiant beam that enlightens all in his presence,” said Mitch Morrison, vice president of retailer relations and event content director at CSP.
Hamza has served as COO of the Worcester, Massachusetts–based company for the past decade. Nouria Energy Corp., founded in 1989 by CEO Tony El-Nemr after he purchased an underperforming service station in Auburn, Massachusetts, is a family-owned and operated business that has grown significantly in recent years.
- Nouria Energy Corp. is No. 29 on CSP’s 2025 Top 202 ranking of U.S. c-store chains by store count.
Much of that growth has come through acquisition. In February, Nouria completed its purchase of Savannah, Georgia–based Enmarket convenience stores from Colonial Group Inc. The transaction included 133 Enmarket locations and 25 car washes, nearly doubling Nouria’s footprint to 319 stores and expanding the chain’s presence into the Southeast.
Hamza was involved in the c-store chain’s 2018 rebrand from the Lil’ Mart name, which the company had used for most of its stores for 30 years. The new Nouria concept added a brighter, more modern store design, an expanded focus on fresh and healthy foods and the introduction of Cafe Nouria, featuring specialty coffee, fresh bakery items, grab-and-go meals and dine-in seating.
“I remember seeing Joe about eight years ago at the Nouria office in Worcester, Massachusetts," Morrison said. "I wasn’t familiar with the company other than that it was a solid New England fuel marketer. It was not known for retail and that, to me, is the magic of Nouria, the magic of Joe Hamza. Joe beamed that Nouria was going to make a name for itself in the retail space, that it would draw talent from other industries and create something truly unique. And when Joe makes a pledge, he always fulfills it.”
Company leaders attribute Nouria’s expansion to a strong focus on employee development and operational execution. The chain finished first in CSP’s Mystery Shop audit in both 2024 and 2025, following a third-place finish in 2023. Employee training and internal advancement are central to Nouria’s operating philosophy, said John Pszeniczny, vice president of operations, along with consistent operational standards emphasizing cleanliness, presentation and safety across the chain.
“It’s really delivering what we promise our customers flawlessly,” Hamza said in regard to the 2023 Mystery Shop audit, including anything from having clean bathrooms, to saying “Welcome to Nouria” to customers when they walk in a store.
CSP will celebrate Hamza's leadership and achievements with family and friends at a formal dinner and award presentation in October during the NACS Show in Las Vegas. Click here for more information.
Members help make our journalism possible. Become a CSP member today and unlock exclusive benefits, including unlimited access to all of our content. Sign up here.