Kent Sopris Named as
NYACS' Next Staff Executive
Kent Sopris has been named the next chief executive officer of the New York Association of Convenience Stores.
He will join the staff in mid-February as Vice President, working side-by-side with long-time President Jim Calvin until Calvin retires July 1, at which time Sopris will become the fourth President in NYACS’ 35-year history.
In the photo, Kent (left) is welcomed by Doug Galli of Reid Stores Inc./Crosby’s, Chair of the NYACS Board of Directors.
“Our search committee was impressed with Kent’s extensive experience in association management and state government affairs,” said Galli. “He brings 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,” said Sopris. “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."
The NYACS Board of Directors unanimously approved Sopris’s appointment last week on the recommendation of a search committee comprised of Retail and Associate board members.
Serving on the search committee were Case Marshall, Pit Stop Convenience (Chair); Doug Galli, Reid Stores/Crosby's; Chad Kiesow, Stewart's Shops; Christian King, KNC Holdings; Matt Paduano, Lakeport Market; Peter Tamburro, Cliff's Local Market; Ken Perelli, Quicklee's; Mickey Jamal, Chestnut Markets; and Marcia Russo, Acosta.
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 of Malkin & Ross.
In the state Legislature, he served on the staffs of Senator Jose Peralta, Senator Craig Johnson, Assemblyman Richard Brodsky, and Assemblyman Darryl Towns. Previously, he worked for New Jersey Congressman Bill Pascrell in Washington DC.
Sopris holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in political science and history from the College of Saint Rose, Albany.
He resides in Delmar NY with his wife, Caroline Brancatella, a health care attorney in Albany, and their 18-month-old daughter Millicent "Millie" Sopris.
