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JEFF ROGUT ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT FROM AACS After almost 10 years as CEO of AACS, Jeff Rogut has announced that he will be retiring from the position at the end of November. In a statement released in August, Mr Rogut stated that he was extremely proud and felt privileged to have led the Association on behalf of, and in support of, the amazing retailers, suppliers, business owners, operators and teams that make up the dynamic industry. “Throughout my career in convenience, I have been consistently struck by the high quality, highly capable people that the industry attracts,” he said. “I am grateful to have met so many passionate and committed individuals in Australia and the many other countries in which AACS has forged relationships. There are professional relationships I’ve built which have become firm friendships, and these will continue.” The message from Mr Rogut, proceeds by reflecting on some of the achievements that have occurred over his 10-year period. The achievements include: • “Redefining and reinvigorating” the Association’s vision, mission, and strategy. • Achieving “solid and loyal” membership growth as well as a “strong” revenue and financial base for the Association that “bodes well” for the future. • Facilitating numerous “successful” events such as annual leadership summits, galas, award dinners, training programs and nine overseas study tours to countries. • Initiating the AACS Downunder Study tour. • “Significantly” increasing the profile of the Association in the media, social media and with politicians and governments, both state and federal. • Lobbying on behalf of the industry on significant issues. • Publishing industry articles and appearing in media in Australia, France, UK, Ireland, New Zealand, and Canada. • Leading the redevelopment and improvement of the annual ‘AACS State of the Industry Report’. • Conducting the first major research into the industry in 2011. • Commissioning new research into convenience customer attitudes and usage in 2019 and updating this during the Covid-19 pandemic. • Coordinating the first ‘businesses against crime’ forum, bringing together industry, police, and politicians. • Ensuring the industry could remain open to the communities we serve during Covid-19. “AACS has always emphasised that convenience is a dynamic industry and the last few months have certainly reinforced this point,” Mr Rogut said. “Obviously, the future will look different, further evolution will be required, and AACS is well-positioned to evolve as well. “As you know, AACS is not a large organisation. In fact, it is a small business representing many large businesses, retailers and suppliers to our industry. But we punch above our weight. We could not have achieved many of the things we have without the support of our external partners. “I particularly wish to thank our media and communications company, Wise McBaron, accountants Hansens, events company Events with Moore, Umbrella Creative for all of the work on our weekly eNewsletters and website, and all of those who provided services to AACS. “I thank our AACS chairs Julie Laycock, Rob Anderson, Peri Hunter and Karim Sumar for their leadership of the Board and support. “Importantly, I thank our members, large and small, for their support, involvement in the Association, their work for the Australian convenience channel, and their trust in allowing us to pursue those issues which are important for our industry. “The future for our industry is still bright and filled with opportunity.” NEWS “AACS has always emphasised that convenience is a dynamic industry and the last few months have certainly reinforced this point.” SEP/OCT, 2020 CONVENIENCE WORLD 13