Respect & Opportunity

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CHICAGO -- The National Association of Convenience Stores announced the election of its 2008-2009 Executive Committee during its October 7 board meeting at the NACS Show in Chicago. Sonja Yates Hubbard, CEO of Texarkana, Texas-based E-Z Mart Stores Inc., was named the association's 2008-2009 chairman. Hubbard also chairs the NACS Executive Committee, which provides strategic direction and financial oversight to the association.

Also named to the NACS Executive Committee were Jay Ricker, president of Ricker Oil Co., Anderson, Ind., as treasurer; Greg Parker, president of The Parker Cos., [image-nocss] Savannah, Ga., as vice chairman of research, elected to his third term; Tom Robinson, president of Robinson Oil Corp., San Jose, Calif., as vice chairman of government relations, elected to his second term; Jeff Miller, president of Miller Oil Co. Inc., Norfolk, Va., as vice chairman of NACSPAC; Nichole Torsey, president of Mountain Counties Supply Co., Redding, Calif., as vice chairman of member services; and Dave Carpenter, president and CEO of J.D. Carpenter Cos. Inc., Urbandale, Iowa, as vice chairman of convention and events.

NACS also announced the election of four retail members to serve on its board: Brad Call, executive of marketing, Maverik Inc., North Salt Lake, Utah; Karim Dhukani, president and CEO,W&J Investments Inc., Spring, Texas; Fran Duskiewicz, senior executive vice president, Nice N Easy Grocery Shoppes Inc., Canastota, N.Y.; and Warren Wilmot, CEO, 7-Eleven Stores Pty. Ltd., Mt. Waverly, Victoria, Australia.

Hubbard most recently served as the NACS treasurer and was responsible for overseeing the association 's financial plan. She also is a member of the NACS Supplier Board and the NACS Convention & Events Committee. Previously, Hubbard served two terms as vice chairman of the NACS Government Relations Committee, and had also served on the NACS Audit Committee for four years and on the NACSPAC Committee for six years.

E-Z Mart Stores operates more than 300 stores in Arkansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas. The company was founded in 1970 and operated by Hubbard 's father, Jim Yates, who led the company until 1998. She has been with E-Z Mart for more than 20 years, serving as assistant controller, controller and CFO before assuming her current position. (Click hereto view a CSPTV interview with Hubbard. Click the Download Now button below to view additional NACS biographies.)

In accepting the gavel as the new NACS Chairman during her NACS Show General Session address on October 7, Hubbard noted that there is "one obvious difference between me and all the NACS chairmen of the past," she said. "I am the first to accept the gavel wearing a dress," noting that she is the association's first female chair.

She discussed the respect that the c-store/petroleum industry has gained over the years with the public, Washington and the media, also acknowledging the contributions of suppliers, employees and customers.

She also spoke of opportunities. "We can—and should—play more of a leadership role in our communities. We must continue to grow and aspire to be the type of business that new generations, of all genders and races, continue to see, just as we did, as an industry exploding with opportunity. We need to continually be not just good citizens, but great citizens. We need to not just talk to our customers, but to talk with them. We need to not just give back, but to redefine how we serve our communities," Hubbard said.

Separately, at the fall meeting of the board of the Petroleum Marketers Association of America (PMAA) in Chicago, the board approved the slate of new Executive Committee members and officers for 2009. Matt Bjornson, president of Bjornson Oil Co., Cavalier, N.D., was elected 2009 PMAA Chairman.

Others newly elected were:

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