Advancing The Cause

Three new inductees are welcomed into the PCATS/CSNews Technology Hall of Fame

The PCATS/Convenience Store News Technology Hall of Fame welcomed its second class of inductees at this year's NACStech. Three industry pioneers — Greg Gilkerson, president of PDI Inc.; Robert Johnson, president of The Pinnacle Corp.; and Brad McGuinness, senior vice president of research and development for VeriFone Systems Inc. — were inducted.

The PCATS/CSNews Technology Hall of Fame, which debuted at last year's NACStech, honors industry leaders who have advanced the cause of the convenience and fuel retailing industry through the development and use of technology standards. This year's inductees were recognized during a special reception on the second evening of NACStech, held May 21 to 23 at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center in Nashville.

Calling Gilkerson the "conscience" of the technology standards movements, PCATS Executive Director Gray Taylor noted that as a founder of PDI, Gilkerson has helped the company grow to serve more than 350 companies operating more than 27,000 stores.

In accepting the award, Gilkerson thanked his peers and admitted he has never written a program in his life. "[PDI] has a tremendous team making everything happen," he said.

When presenting the award to McGuinness, Taylor observed that "Brad is the man who never says 'no,'" noting that he's always found a way to assist standards initiatives and PCATS.

While joking that he has probably said "no" at some point, McGuinness said in his acceptance speech that PCATS has been a driving force behind improving the industry. "If you are not a member of PCATS, you need to be," he urged. "It is an organization that does; an organization that so many people in this room have dedicated time to."

Johnson, who has more than 28 years of experience in serving the convenience and petroleum marketing industry, was unable to attend the event. Rosemary Waldrip, the company's marketing manager, accepted the award on his behalf and read a statement from Johnson.

He thanked PCATS and CSNews for the honor of being associated in this way with John Hervey and Terri Richman, the first-ever inductees into the PCATS/CSNews Technology Hall of Fame, who were honored posthumously at last year's NACStech.

"Terri and John were two towers of leadership for our industry and tremendously strong individuals that recognized the challenges and also the tremendous benefits that would accrue to the industry should technology standards be developed and adopted. To be included, even as a footnote, with them is humbling indeed," Johnson said.

He also expressed gratitude to those in the audience who were fellow members of the early committees in PCATS' foundational days and are still working on the collective efforts today. "It's gratifying to me to see that so much of the work produced by PCATS, especially the older work I was more involved in, is being implemented within a majority of our industry."