The National Advisory Group (NAG) is proud to announce that the association will honor Gus Olympidis, the CEO and founder of Family Express, with the 2019 NAG Lifetime Award for Convenience Retailing.
Olympidis has left an indelible mark on the convenience retailing industry over the past 44 years. While many chains say they are committed to retail excellence, Family Express has taken steps above and beyond to not only ensure retail greatness, but to build a legacy. Since the company was founded on Christmas Day in 1975, Olympidis’s vision has been “To be the finest small chain of convenience stores and fueling centers in the world.”
“Though I must confess that I am much more comfortable delivering praise to others than being the recipient of good graces, I am appreciative of this recognition,” Olympidis said. “This award will fertilize our effort to impact our Great Industry with continued Innovation.”
Family Express, headquartered in Valparaiso, Ind., operates 75 stores and employs nearly 900 men and women throughout Northwest and Central Indiana. While many chains say they are committed to retail excellence, Family Express has gone above and beyond to not only ensure retail greatness, but to secure its legacy in the convenience store industry. Olympidis should be lauded for his vision of what his convenience store chain could be and the fortitude to go and get it done.
“As we were growing NAG and the Young Executives Organization (YEO), Gus stepped up and volunteered his team, his company headquarters and distribution center and his stores to help grow both organizations. The very first YEO Conference was held at Family Express and it helped generate excitement around this growing group of next-generation leaders,” said John Lofstock, Executive Director of NAG. “But what I value most about Gus is his friendship through the years and his commitment to doing things the right way. He is a cherished member of the NAG family.”
The National Advisory Group (NAG), a convenience store trade association focused on small, mid-sized and family-owned businesses, has a long history dedicated to helping convenience store owners improve their businesses through education and networking.
Through the years, many individuals have selflessly dedicated their time and energy to ensuring NAG succeeds and holds a special place with convenience store owners. NAG is proud to recognize these individuals through the NAG Lifetime Award for Convenience Retailing.
Olympidis will receive the award on Sept. 10 at the 2019 NAG Conference in Minneapolis. To register for the conference or view the agenda, visit www.nagconvenience.com.
ABOUT THE NATIONAL ADVISORY GROUP
The National Advisory Group (NAG) is a convenience store trade association focused on small, mid-sized and family-owned businesses. 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. NAG is also committed to the industry’s next-generation leaders.
To help young executives have a group that is solely focused on exchanging personal experiences with peers in their age group, NAG launched the Young Executives Organization (YEO). YEO members are next-generation executives and corporate personnel focused on a career within the convenience store industry.
For information on NAG or the and the 2019 NAG Conference in Minneapolis, visit www.nagconvenience.com or contact NAG Executive Director John Lofstock at [email protected].