The New York Association of Convenience Stores has hired Kent Sopris as the incoming president of the company. He joined the staff in February as VP.
Sopris will work side by side with longtime President Jim Calvin until Calvin retires July 1, at which time Sopris will become the fourth president in NYACS’ 35-year history.
“Our search committee was impressed with Kent’s extensive experience in association management and state government affairs,” said Doug Galli of Reid Stores Inc./Crosby’s, chair of the NYACS’ board of directors. “He has the strong leadership, problem-solving and communication skills needed to move our association forward in a challenging business and regulatory environment.”
“I am honored to be joining NYACS at an exciting and critical time for the organization,” Sopris said. “I look forward to advocating on behalf of its membership and to educating legislators and the public about the vital services convenience stores provide to communities throughout New York State.”
Headquartered in Albany, NYACS is a private, not-for-profit trade organization representing nearly 8,000 chain and independent convenience stores across the state.
Most recently, Sopris was director of the public transportation bureau of the New York State Department of Transportation.
Before that, he was director of government affairs for the American Council of Engineering Companies of New York and later a lobbyist with the Albany-based government relations firm Malkin & Ross.
In the state legislature, he served on the staffs of Sen. Jose Peralta, Sen. Craig Johnson, Assemblyman Richard Brodsky and Assemblyman Darryl Towns. Previously, he worked for New Jersey Congressman Bill Pascrell in Washington, D.C.
Sopris holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in political science and history from the College of Saint Rose in Albany, New York.
For more information, visit nyacs.org.
