FUN FACTS
Carolyn Schnare
MOST PROUD OF
Her two beautiful children and the funny little people they have become.
CAN’T RESIST
Talking. Seriously, she can’t stop.
THE MOST UNUSUAL THING IN YOUR OFFICE
Silence.
WHAT MOST PEOPLE DON’T KNOW ABOUT ME
She pursued a dream of being an astronaut with NASA for a bit. It didn’t pan out.
FAVORITE CONVENIENCE STORE ITEM
Doughnuts
Carolyn Schnare is the Director of Strategic Initiatives at NACS. This fancy title means that she works on programs to help retailers offer choices in food and products and do good things in their communities. Carolyn has worked for more than a dozen years at NACS in a variety of roles from event production to membership. Way back in the day when email was just barely a thing, she worked for a New Jersey Congressman in the U.S. House of Representatives. She successfully graduated from the University of Maryland with a degree in Political Science and Communications and is capable of handling the big world. Carolyn gets her best creative thinking done while running and once won a race for her age group (no comment on how many people were running said race). Outside of work, she enjoys living vicariously through her daughter’s and son’s sports careers, dragging them to craft breweries and talking her husband’s ears off.
"Everyone you will ever meet knows something you don't."
~ Bill Nye
FUN FACTS
Carolyn Schnare
MOST PROUD OF
Her two beautiful children and the funny little people they have become.
CAN’T RESIST
Talking. Seriously, she can’t stop.
THE MOST UNUSUAL THING IN YOUR OFFICE
Silence.
WHAT MOST PEOPLE DON’T KNOW ABOUT ME
She pursued a dream of being an astronaut with NASA for a bit. It didn’t pan out.
FAVORITE CONVENIENCE STORE ITEM
Doughnuts
Carolyn Schnare is the Director of Strategic Initiatives at NACS. This fancy title means that she works on programs to help retailers offer choices in food and products and do good things in their communities. Carolyn has worked for more than a dozen years at NACS in a variety of roles from event production to membership. Way back in the day when email was just barely a thing, she worked for a New Jersey Congressman in the U.S. House of Representatives. She successfully graduated from the University of Maryland with a degree in Political Science and Communications and is capable of handling the big world. Carolyn gets her best creative thinking done while running and once won a race for her age group (no comment on how many people were running said race). Outside of work, she enjoys living vicariously through her daughter’s and son’s sports careers, dragging them to craft breweries and talking her husband’s ears off.
"Everyone you will ever meet knows something you don't."
~ Bill Nye
FUN FACTS
Carolyn Schnare
MOST PROUD OF
Her two beautiful children and the funny little people they have become.
CAN’T RESIST
Talking. Seriously, she can’t stop.
THE MOST UNUSUAL THING IN YOUR OFFICE
Silence.
WHAT MOST PEOPLE DON’T KNOW ABOUT ME
She pursued a dream of being an astronaut with NASA for a bit. It didn’t pan out.
FAVORITE CONVENIENCE STORE ITEM
Doughnuts
Carolyn Schnare is the Director of Strategic Initiatives at NACS. This fancy title means that she works on programs to help retailers offer choices in food and products and do good things in their communities. Carolyn has worked for more than a dozen years at NACS in a variety of roles from event production to membership. Way back in the day when email was just barely a thing, she worked for a New Jersey Congressman in the U.S. House of Representatives. She successfully graduated from the University of Maryland with a degree in Political Science and Communications and is capable of handling the big world. Carolyn gets her best creative thinking done while running and once won a race for her age group (no comment on how many people were running said race). Outside of work, she enjoys living vicariously through her daughter’s and son’s sports careers, dragging them to craft breweries and talking her husband’s ears off.
"Everyone you will ever meet knows something you don't."
~ Bill Nye
FUN FACTS
Jeff Lenard
MOST PROUD OF
I hope it’s still to be done.
CAN’T RESIST
A healthy debate.
THE MOST UNUSUAL THING IN YOUR OFFICE
An uncluttered spot.
WHAT MOST PEOPLE DON’T KNOW ABOUT ME
Of the 29,000-plus songs on my iPod (yes, I know that’s strange on multiple levels), four different ones have the title “Convenience Store.”
FAVORITE CONVENIENCE STORE ITEM
A winning lottery ticket
Jeff’s job is talking and telling the industry’s story, but his official fancy title is NACS Vice President of Strategic Industry Initiatives. What that means is that he helps find ways to partner credible nutrition and community-focused groups to decrease misperceptions and underscore the industry’s positive business practices to the public, media and policymakers.
And, of course, talk about fuels. Don’t get him started with mind-numbing details and trivia related to the history of fueling (Col. Sanders once owned gas stations!) or stats and other details about America’s fueling stations, convenience stores.
Along the way, Jeff has conducted nearly 6,000 media interviews and has been part of hundreds of videos, on both sides of the camera. Not bad for someone with an engineering degree (Worcester Polytechnic Institute) and also a graduate degree (Syracuse University).
"One more thing...and another thing..."
~ Jeff Lenard
FUN FACTS
Jeff Lenard
MOST PROUD OF
I hope it’s still to be done.
CAN’T RESIST
A healthy debate.
THE MOST UNUSUAL THING IN YOUR OFFICE
An uncluttered spot.
WHAT MOST PEOPLE DON’T KNOW ABOUT ME
Of the 29,000-plus songs on my iPod (yes, I know that’s strange on multiple levels), four different ones have the title “Convenience Store.”
FAVORITE CONVENIENCE STORE ITEM
A winning lottery ticket6
Jeff’s job is talking and telling the industry’s story, but his official fancy title is NACS Vice President of Strategic Industry Initiatives. What that means is that he helps find ways to partner credible nutrition and community-focused groups to decrease misperceptions and underscore the industry’s positive business practices to the public, media and policymakers.
And, of course, talk about fuels. Don’t get him started with mind-numbing details and trivia related to the history of fueling (Col. Sanders once owned gas stations!) or stats and other details about America’s fueling stations, convenience stores.
Along the way, Jeff has conducted nearly 6,000 media interviews and has been part of hundreds of videos, on both sides of the camera. Not bad for someone with an engineering degree (Worcester Polytechnic Institute) and also a graduate degree (Syracuse University).
"One more thing...and another thing..."
~ Jeff Lenard
FUN FACTS
Jeff Lenard
MOST PROUD OF
I hope it’s still to be done.
CAN’T RESIST
A healthy debate.
THE MOST UNUSUAL THING IN YOUR OFFICE
An uncluttered spot.
WHAT MOST PEOPLE DON’T KNOW ABOUT ME
Of the 29,000-plus songs on my iPod (yes, I know that’s strange on multiple levels), four different ones have the title “Convenience Store.”
FAVORITE CONVENIENCE STORE ITEM
A winning lottery ticket
Jeff’s job is talking and telling the industry’s story, but his official fancy title is NACS Vice President of Strategic Industry Initiatives. What that means is that he helps find ways to partner credible nutrition and community-focused groups to decrease misperceptions and underscore the industry’s positive business practices to the public, media and policymakers.
And, of course, talk about fuels. Don’t get him started with mind-numbing details and trivia related to the history of fueling (Col. Sanders once owned gas stations!) or stats and other details about America’s fueling stations, convenience stores.
Along the way, Jeff has conducted nearly 6,000 media interviews and has been part of hundreds of videos, on both sides of the camera. Not bad for someone with an engineering degree (Worcester Polytechnic Institute) and also a graduate degree (Syracuse University).
"One more thing...and another thing..."
~ Jeff Lenard
FUN FACTS
Chris Blasinsky
MOST PROUD OF
My niece and nephew, they are the coolest little humans.
CAN’T RESIST
Traveling, and even better traveling to places with awesome dive sites.
THE MOST UNUSUAL THING IN YOUR OFFICE
A rubber band ball from all of the rubber bands a certain upscale grocery chain uses to wrap around its take-out containers.
WHAT MOST PEOPLE DON’T KNOW ABOUT ME
I’m an amateur potter, I’ve been scuba diving since 2006, I have a Pez Dispenser collection, and I really hate peas.
FAVORITE CONVENIENCE STORE ITEM
Coffee!
Chris joined NACS in February 2005 after spending four years in the beer industry and two years on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. She is currently the content communications strategist at NACS and works on everything from food safety to fuels and helps manage the Ideas 2 Go program. She graduated from West Virginia University with a BA in English/minor in political science.
"Howdy Ho!"
~ Mr. Hankey
FUN FACTS
Chris Blasinsky
MOST PROUD OF
My niece and nephew, they are the coolest little humans.
CAN’T RESIST
Traveling, and even better traveling to places with awesome dive sites.
FAVORITE CONVENIENCE STORE ITEM
Coffee!
THE MOST UNUSUAL THING IN YOUR OFFICE
A rubber band ball from all of the rubber bands a certain upscale grocery chain uses to wrap around its take-out containers.
WHAT MOST PEOPLE DON’T KNOW ABOUT ME
I’m an amateur potter, I’ve been scuba diving since 2006, I have a Pez Dispenser collection, and I really hate peas.
Chris joined NACS in February 2005 after spending four years in the beer industry and two years on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. She is currently the content communications strategist at NACS and works on everything from food safety to fuels and helps manage the Ideas 2 Go program. She graduated from West Virginia University with a BA in English/minor in political science.
FUN FACTS
Chris Blasinsky
MOST PROUD OF
My niece and nephew, they are the coolest little humans.
CAN’T RESIST
Traveling, and even better traveling to places with awesome dive sites.
THE MOST UNUSUAL THING IN YOUR OFFICE
A rubber band ball from all of the rubber bands a certain upscale grocery chain uses to wrap around its take-out containers.
WHAT MOST PEOPLE DON’T KNOW ABOUT ME
I’m an amateur potter, I’ve been scuba diving since 2006, I have a Pez Dispenser collection, and I really hate peas.
FAVORITE CONVENIENCE STORE ITEM
Coffee!
Chris joined NACS in February 2005 after spending four years in the beer industry and two years on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. She is currently the content communications strategist at NACS and works on everything from food safety to fuels and helps manage the Ideas 2 Go program. She graduated from West Virginia University with a BA in English/minor in political science.
FUN FACTS
John Eichberger
MOST PROUD OF
My 3 year old daughter’s passion for driving – I am starting her early so she doesn’t fall into this no driver license/autonomous vehicle trap of the younger generations.
CAN’T RESIST
Being a sarcastic curmudgeon
THE MOST UNUSUAL THING IN YOUR OFFICE
Incredible Hulk Hands and a talking Anger doll from the movie Inside Out (Can you sense a theme?)
WHAT MOST PEOPLE DON’T KNOW ABOUT ME
Used to compete in the World’s Strongest Man Competition, but retired to give Magnus a fighting chance.
FAVORITE CONVENIENCE STORE ITEM
64 oz (or bigger) Diet Coke
With nearly 20 years of experience in the fuels sector, 17 of which was spent working in the political world as a congressional staffer or lobbyist, John has a breadth of knowledge and perspective that he leverages to make anything he says sound convincing. Incorporating a sometimes overabundance of sarcasm with his passion for the transportation industry, he has been known to make the most boring subjects seem somewhat tolerable. John’s education as a history major in no way prepared him to understand the intricacies of fuels and vehicles operations nor the delicate balance between environmental protection and economic performance. John spent 15 years representing the convenience and fuel retailing industry before Congress, the administration and media before becoming the Executive Director of the Fuels Institute, considered by many to be the most diverse organization focused analyzing factors influencing the vehicle and transportation energy sector. His true passion is helping people understand various perspectives and showcasing facts and figures to debunk mythology and hype.
"Some of this is true; some of this is better"
FUN FACTS
John Eichberger
MOST PROUD OF
My 3 year old daughter’s passion for driving – I am starting her early so she doesn’t fall into this no driver license/autonomous vehicle trap of the younger generations.
CAN’T RESIST
Being a sarcastic curmudgeon
THE MOST UNUSUAL THING IN YOUR OFFICE
Incredible Hulk Hands and a talking Anger doll from the movie Inside Out (Can you sense a theme?)
WHAT MOST PEOPLE DON’T KNOW ABOUT ME
Used to compete in the World’s Strongest Man Competition, but retired to give Magnus a fighting chance.
FAVORITE CONVENIENCE STORE ITEM
64 oz (or bigger) Diet Coke
With nearly 20 years of experience in the fuels sector, 17 of which was spent working in the political world as a congressional staffer or lobbyist, John has a breadth of knowledge and perspective that he leverages to make anything he says sound convincing. Incorporating a sometimes overabundance of sarcasm with his passion for the transportation industry, he has been known to make the most boring subjects seem somewhat tolerable. John’s education as a history major in no way prepared him to understand the intricacies of fuels and vehicles operations nor the delicate balance between environmental protection and economic performance. John spent 15 years representing the convenience and fuel retailing industry before Congress, the administration and media before becoming the Executive Director of the Fuels Institute, considered by many to be the most diverse organization focused analyzing factors influencing the vehicle and transportation energy sector. His true passion is helping people understand various perspectives and showcasing facts and figures to debunk mythology and hype.
"Some of this is true; some of this is better"
FUN FACTS
John Eichberger
MOST PROUD OF
My 3 year old daughter’s passion for driving – I am starting her early so she doesn’t fall into this no driver license/autonomous vehicle trap of the younger generations.
CAN’T RESIST
Being a sarcastic curmudgeon
THE MOST UNUSUAL THING IN YOUR OFFICE
Incredible Hulk Hands and a talking Anger doll from the movie Inside Out (Can you sense a theme?)
WHAT MOST PEOPLE DON’T KNOW ABOUT ME
Used to compete in the World’s Strongest Man Competition, but retired to give Magnus a fighting chance.
FAVORITE CONVENIENCE STORE ITEM
64 oz (or bigger) Diet Coke
With nearly 20 years of experience in the fuels sector, 17 of which was spent working in the political world as a congressional staffer or lobbyist, John has a breadth of knowledge and perspective that he leverages to make anything he says sound convincing. Incorporating a sometimes overabundance of sarcasm with his passion for the transportation industry, he has been known to make the most boring subjects seem somewhat tolerable. John’s education as a history major in no way prepared him to understand the intricacies of fuels and vehicles operations nor the delicate balance between environmental protection and economic performance. John spent 15 years representing the convenience and fuel retailing industry before Congress, the administration and media before becoming the Executive Director of the Fuels Institute, considered by many to be the most diverse organization focused analyzing factors influencing the vehicle and transportation energy sector. His true passion is helping people understand various perspectives and showcasing facts and figures to debunk mythology and hype.
"Some of this is true; some of this is better"
FUN FACTS
Rose Johnson
MOST PROUD OF
The work I am doing in my community through my church and through sharing happenings and events.
PEOPLE MOST INFLUENCED BY
Brene Brown – she is very inspiring in the way she challenges folks to be open and vulnerable leaders.
BEST CHILDHOOD MEMORY
Softball Sunday’s with my family! We have a family softball team and since I was a tot, they have played in league’s every Sunday from April – September.
FAVORITE CONVENIENCE STORE ITEM
Lottery tickets! I’m going to hit the jackpot one day!
Rose has been with NACS for 10 years. Her current title is Audience Development and Production Manager. What she is most passionate about in the convenience industry is sharing the stories of our members and convenience retailers in general. Rose graduated from University of Maryland University College with a B.A. in Business Administration with a concentration in marketing.
"Daring leaders who live into their values are never silent about hard things."
~ Brene Brown
FUN FACTS
Rose Johnson
MOST PROUD OF
The work I am doing in my community through my church and through sharing happenings and events.
PEOPLE MOST INFLUENCED BY
Brene Brown – she is very inspiring in the way she challenges folks to be open and vulnerable leaders.
BEST CHILDHOOD MEMORY
Softball Sunday’s with my family! We have a family softball team and since I was a tot, they have played in league’s every Sunday from April – September.
FAVORITE CONVENIENCE STORE ITEM
Lottery tickets! I’m going to hit the jackpot one day!
Rose has been with NACS for 10 years. Her current title is Audience Development and Production Manager. What she is most passionate about in the convenience industry is sharing the stories of our members and convenience retailers in general. Rose graduated from University of Maryland University College with a B.A. in Business Administration with a concentration in marketing.
"Daring leaders who live into their values are never silent about hard things."
~ Brene Brown
FUN FACTS
Rose Johnson
MOST PROUD OF
The work I am doing in my community through my church and through sharing happenings and events.
PEOPLE MOST INFLUENCED BY
Brene Brown – she is very inspiring in the way she challenges folks to be open and vulnerable leaders.
BEST CHILDHOOD MEMORY
Softball Sunday’s with my family! We have a family softball team and since I was a tot, they have played in league’s every Sunday from April – September.
FAVORITE CONVENIENCE STORE ITEM
Lottery tickets! I’m going to hit the jackpot one day!
Rose has been with NACS for 10 years. Her current title is Audience Development and Production Manager. What she is most passionate about in the convenience industry is sharing the stories of our members and convenience retailers in general. Rose graduated from University of Maryland University College with a B.A. in Business Administration with a concentration in marketing.
"Daring leaders who live into their values are never silent about hard things."
~ Brene Brown
FUN FACTS
Britt Brewer
FAVORITE ACCESSORY
A killer playlist.
CAN’T RESIST
Photobombing strangers.
THE MOST UNUSUAL THING IN YOUR OFFICE
A miniature, plastic wizard that my friend Diane gave me. We named him Shaquille.
WHAT MOST PEOPLE DON’T KNOW ABOUT ME
I grew up in Columbia, TN, just outside of Nashville. It’s the Mule Capital of the world. “Mule Day” takes place every spring—complete with a fair, parade and parties… It’s a lot of fun.
HOW TO GET HER ON A DATE
Quiet confidence mixed with unique wit and humor is a deadly combination.
WORK STUFF
- I’m a proud member of the NACS Marketing team.
- I thoroughly enjoy my life at NACS—largely due to having the best colleagues ever.
- I get to work on cool projects like Convenience Matters, NACS TV and various education programs.
LIFE STUFF
- I have two nieces, and they’re the funniest people I know.
- I travel as often as possible.
- I go to a lot of concerts. Like, a lot…
- I’m what you might call “outdoorsy.”
"The world belongs to the energetic."
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
FUN FACTS
Britt Brewer
FAVORITE ACCESSORY
A killer playlist.
CAN’T RESIST
Photobombing strangers.
THE MOST UNUSUAL THING IN YOUR OFFICE
A miniature, plastic wizard that my friend Diane gave me. We named him Shaquille.
WHAT MOST PEOPLE DON’T KNOW ABOUT ME
I grew up in Columbia, TN, just outside of Nashville. It’s the Mule Capital of the world. “Mule Day” takes place every spring—complete with a fair, parade and parties… It’s a lot of fun.
HOW TO GET HER ON A DATE
Quiet confidence mixed with unique wit and humor is a deadly combination.
WORK STUFF
- I’m a proud member of the NACS Marketing team.
- I thoroughly enjoy my life at NACS—largely due to having the best colleagues ever.
- I get to work on cool projects like Convenience Matters, NACS TV and various education programs.
LIFE STUFF
- I have two nieces, and they’re the funniest people I know.
- I travel as often as possible.
- I go to a lot of concerts. Like, a lot…
- I’m what you might call “outdoorsy.”
FUN FACTS
Britt Brewer
FAVORITE ACCESSORY
A killer playlist.
CAN’T RESIST
Photobombing strangers.
THE MOST UNUSUAL THING IN YOUR OFFICE
A miniature, plastic wizard that my friend Diane gave me. We named him Shaquille.
WHAT MOST PEOPLE DON’T KNOW ABOUT ME
I grew up in Columbia, TN, just outside of Nashville. It’s the Mule Capital of the world. “Mule Day” takes place every spring—complete with a fair, parade and parties… It’s a lot of fun.
HOW TO GET HER ON A DATE
Quiet confidence mixed with unique wit and humor is a deadly combination.
WORK STUFF
- I’m a proud member of the NACS Marketing team.
- I thoroughly enjoy my life at NACS—largely due to having the best colleagues ever.
- I get to work on cool projects like Convenience Matters, NACS TV and various education programs.
LIFE STUFF
- I have two nieces, and they’re the funniest people I know.
- I travel as often as possible.
- I go to a lot of concerts. Like, a lot…
- I’m what you might call “outdoorsy.”