ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Frank Gleeson officially took on the roles of president and chief executive officer of NACS on January 1, 2026, succeeding Henry Armour, who led the association for twenty years.
Gleeson’s appointment was announced in July and signifies a historic change for the convenience and fuel retailing industry. He is only the fourth CEO in NACS’ 64-year history. Most recently, Gleeson served as president and CEO of Aramark Northern Europe and previously chaired the NACS Board of Directors from 2018 to 2019.
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“After 30-plus years in a business I’m so passionate about, it’s like winning the lottery for me to lead NACS and have this position in an industry that I have been part of for so long,” Gleeson said on the NACS Convenience Matters podcast ahead of the 2025 NACS Show. “We are already very well placed to navigate the challenges and take advantage of the opportunities for more market share.”
Strategic priorities
Gleeson starts the role with a solid background in foodservice, global operations, and industry advocacy. He has outlined three key focus areas as he begins his tenure:
- Foodservice growth. Gleeson sees foodservice as a key factor in encouraging repeat visits and ensuring long-term profits for convenience stores, highlighting the industry’s strengths in location, value, and trusted customer relationships. He describes foodservice as a fundamental part of sustainability for innovative c-store operators.
- Advocacy and regulation. Gleeson has highlighted the importance of proactive engagement with policymakers, noting that regulatory pressure is the industry’s biggest long-term risk. He has called for ongoing education and dialogue with legislators to find solutions that balance consumer needs with retailer realities.
- Technology and innovation. Gleeson emphasized the importance of scalable, problem-solving technology in both the front end and back office. He cited TruAge, a digital age-verification initiative created by NACS, as an example of innovative technology designed to adapt within the broader digital ecosystem.
Looking ahead
Additional insights into Gleeson’s leadership philosophy and industry outlook will be featured in “Head in the Game,” a profile in the January 2026 issue of NACS Magazine. Gleeson has also engaged in a detailed conversation with NACS Media after his CEO announcement, elaborating further on his vision for the association and its members.
With Gleeson leading, NACS leadership signals a continued focus on food-centered retailing, technology-driven operations, and a more proactive advocacy stance as the convenience industry faces a rapidly changing competitive and regulatory environment.
