The National Advisory Group (NAG), a convenience store trade association focused on small, mid-sized and family-owned businesses, has appointed John Lofstock as Executive Director.
In this role, Lofstock will oversee all of NAG’s educational content, membership, the group’s annual conference and the Young Executive Organization (YEO). Lofstock will also continue to serve as Editor-in-Chief and Vice President, Editorial for The Convenience Store Decisions Group.
“Having been associated with the revitalization of NAG for the past five years this is a tremendous honor for me. I first became aware of NAG in the 1990s as a conference attendee and was impressed with the work Hugh Howton and his staff did to drive NAG’s success. I can’t wait to begin work redefining NAG’s success in today’s convenience store industry,” Lofstock said. “Our member companies and long-time NAG supporters will be proud of the work this group accomplishes.”
NAG has a long, rich history in the convenience store industry. An organization committed to building relationships and profits, NAG’s mission is to provide industry retail leaders a peer-to-peer forum for the exchange of ideas to improve their business performance.
“John Lofstock, who grew up in the industry and has seen this channel evolve over the years, is the perfect person to take NAG to the next level and put a face, game plan and serious direction to this organization to ensure its continued growth,” said Tom McIntyre, Group Publisher for Harbor Communications, parent company of NAG. “Our expectations are high and we have no doubt John will deliver, just as he’s proven with the editorial success of Convenience Store Decisions and our related properties.”
Among the challenges for NAG in the years ahead is to drive new membership, recruit young executives into YEO and to support retailers’ legislative efforts at a local level. NAG will also focus on driving value and benefits for NAG members.
“NAG members, like many small, mid-sized and family-owned businesses, are constantly under attack from overzealous lawmakers. NAG is committed to helping to support the great work being done at the national and state levels in support of convenience store retailers,” Lofstock said.
The next phase in NAG’s growth will begin Sept. 15 with the 2013 NAG Conference in Nashville, Tenn. For information on this must-attend industry event visit www.nagconvenience.com. For information on joining NAG or the NAG YEO group, contact John Lofstock at [email protected].