GACS L.E.A.D. Academy

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Have you thought about what the future leadership of your company looks like? Or noticed an employee with strong potential and wondered how to help them grow into a successful leader?
​Launching in 2026, the GACS L.E.A.D. Academy is an eight-month leadership development experience created to strengthen the future of Georgia’s convenience store industry. This premier program is designed to move leaders from managing daily operations to confidently shaping long-term vision.

Who Is This Designed For?

• Owners
• Decision-makers
• High-potential team members

What Will Participants Gain From Participating?

• Stronger leadership skills
• Greater confidence in decision-making
• A strategic, forward-focused mindset
• The ability to transition from operator to visionary leader

Organizations that invest in the L.E.A.D. Academy can expect stronger retention, improved culture, better decision-making, and a deeper bench of leaders prepared to step up!

Meet Our L.E.A.D. Academy Facilitator

Dr. Larry Grays

Dr. Larry Grays is an accomplished speaker, writer, and leadership consultant with extensive experience in the retail, grocery, and convenience store industries. As the founder of EPL Consulting, he is passionate about helping organizations grow by developing strong, high-performing leaders.
Under Dr. Grays’ guidance, the Academy combines expert facilitation with real-world insights from successful industry operators — delivering practical, industry-specific leadership development, not generic coursework.

Check out Dr. Larry Grays launching the brand new L.E.A.D. Academy at
our 2026 Annual Convention in Amelia Island!  

​​Locations, Dates, Speakers, & Experiences Across Georgia

October 21, 2026
Columbus Iron Works – Columbus, GA
Topic: Defining Great Leadership: Operator to Strategist & DISC Assessments
Activity:

• Meet and Greet Dinner with fellow L.E.A.D. Participants
• Southern Show participation on Oct 22nd

Speakers:

• Slaton Whatley (Whatley Convenience Stores LLC),

• Glenn Snow (Jet Food Stores of Georgia, Inc.)
• Mike Dempsey (Deputy Chief of Staff at Fort Moore)

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December 8, 2026
Core-Mark Distribution Warehouse – White, GA
Topic: Team Building & Improving Retention: Winning the War for Talent
Activity:

• Core-Mark Distribution Warehouse Tour - State-of-the-Art facilities that opened for business in 2026.  

Speakers: 

• Drew Tonsmeire (Kennesaw State University's Small Business Development Center's Area Director)

• Andrew Dill (Lockheed Martin Corp)
• Shane Hurley (Core-Mark)

January 26, 2027
Westin Hotel & Georgia Capitol – Atlanta, GA
Topic: Conflict Resolution & Hard Conversations
Activity:

• Join GACS Leadership for Dinner on Jan 25th
• Participate in GACS Day on the Hill Lunch with Legislators and elected State Legislators

Speakers:

• From the Georgia Department of Public Safety a Georgia State Patrol Certified De-escalation Instructor
• Kevin Perry (President of the Georgia Beverage Association) 
• ​Ryan Blumenthal (Director, Digital Guest Experience for Racetrac)

​
February 23, 2027
Tifton Coca-Cola Plant – Tifton, GA
​Topic: Leading Through Change
Activity:

• 343,000 Square foot Coca-Cola Facility Tour that opened in 2022

Speakers: 

• Ben Cochran (F16 Fighter Pilot) and GACS Member
• Clay Helton ( Georgia Southern Head Football Coach)​
• Speaker TBA

​March 23, 2027
Parker's Kitchen - Savannah, GA
Topic: Strategic Planning & Vision Casting: Growth vs Survival
Activity:

• Georgia Ports Authority Facility Tour with President Griff Lynch

Speakers: 

• Tim Naddy (CFO Savannah Bananas)​
• ​TBA Speaker

April 21, 2027
Peachtree City, GA
Topic: Effective Communication Skills: Internal & External Advocacy
Activity: 

• Chick-Fil-A Support Center Tour 
• Dinner with GACS Board & Supplier Leadership 
• GACS PAC Golf Tournament on April 22nd

Speakers:

• Doug Barnett (CFA Operator)​​​
• Frank Patterson (President of Trilith Studios)
• Jim Mills (Sr. Branded Area Manager, Business Development of Motiva)

​
June 6–9, 2027
Jekyll Island Club – Jekyll Island, GA
Activity: 

• Graduation/Awards Ceremony

Investment & Commitment

​Program Investment: $1,500 per participant

• Required reading materials are included
• Registration fees for GACS events are included
• DISC assessment fee is included
  
  

Enrollment is intentionally limited to 36 participants to ensure meaningful interaction and high-impact learning.
​
Because this is a cohort-based experience, participants are expected to attend all sessions. One absence is permitted. Additional absences require re-enrollment in a future class.