Ben Jatlow, vice president and general manager of High’s of Baltimore, named board chairman of the convenience store industry’s only group focused exclusively on young and next generation executives.

As the convenience store and petroleum industry continues to evolve, training the next generation leaders of tomorrow is more important than ever before. To help young executives have a group that is solely focused on exchanging personal experiences with peers in their age group, the National Advisory Group (NAG) is proud to announce that it has relaunched the Young Executives Organization (YEO).

We are also pleased to report that Ben Jatlow, vice president and general manager of High’s of Baltimore, has agreed to a two-year term as board chairman.

The YEO five-member Board of Directors includes:
* Chairman, Ben Jatlow, Vice President and General Manager, High’s of Baltimore
* Jeff Jones, Vice President/General Manager, C.N. Brown Co.
* Katie Wagner, Vice President, Arrow Marts/Yellow Goose Markets
* Jared Sturtevant, Director of Marketing, Nice N Easy Grocery Shoppes
* Ashley Englefield, Director of Marketing, Englefield Oil Co.

“Membership in YEO provides young convenience store and petroleum industry executives with an opportunity to network with other NAG members and influential industry leaders,” said John Lofstock, NAG Executive Director and Vice President of The Convenience Store Decisions Group. “It also gives young executives a platform to express their ideas, leadership abilities and vision for the future of convenience retailing.”

NAG’s YEO has a long history in the convenience store petroleum industry. Many current industry leaders have spent time learning the industry as members of YEO and now a new generation of future industry leaders will have the same opportunity.

“As convenience retailers we are fortunate to be part of a very active and close-knit industry,” Jatlow said. “Until now, one missing link has been a group dedicated to next generation leaders. I’m honored to serve as board chairman to lead the YEO resurgence and revive an organization that claims influential industry leaders like Louis Sheetz and Hank Armour in its legacy.”

YEO’s mission is to cultivate young talent in the convenience store and petroleum industry through implementation of education and networking. YEO accomplishes this mission by leveraging the experience of NAG members to help foster superior leadership skills.

“I am very excited about the opportunity to be part of the revitalization of the YEO.  It will be a great place for young professionals to foster a network that will facilitate a support system for their specific challenges and vision for the future of the industry,” said board member Katie Wagner, vice president of Arrow Marts/Yellow Goose Markets.

Recognizing Young Leaders
YEO members are industry leaders who are 40 years of age or younger. Members are entrepreneurs leading top businesses and actively pursuing a higher level of professionalism in the convenience store and petroleum marketing industry.

“YEO membership provides the ideal opportunity to become actively involved in developing real-time solutions for convenience store and petroleum marketers,” said Mary Banmiller, director of operations for Warrenton Oil and the current NAG Board Chairman. “By participating, YEO members are afforded networking opportunities with prominent and accomplished industry leaders.”

Additionally, participation in YEO creates a forum to:
* Tap in to the networking power of other top young executives.
* Exchange personal experiences with industry peers.
* Share original content and ideas with NAG members and Convenience Store Decisions magazine.
* Shine a quarterly spotlight on a YEO member and his/her company.
* Receive instant feedback on new ideas and potential retail solutions.

Membership in YEO is open to all NAG-member company employees under the age of 40 at no cost. If you are not a NAG Member, join NAG now at www.nagconvenience.com.

For additional information, contact John Lofstock, at [email protected] or Board Chairman Ben Jatlow at [email protected].