Chris Colón, The Pantry Inc.

The category manager never gets the Monday blues.

Chris Colón began climbing the retail industry's ladder in 2002 as a part-time sales associate for The Pantry Inc. after studying Information Technology at North Carolina State University. Within a few years, he was running his first district, and while the current category manager left briefly to try his hand at the grocery business, as he put it, "Once convenience is in your blood, it never leaves."

Colón and his wife Nicole reside in Cary, N.C., with their three children ages three, five and seven. In his spare time, he enjoys being with his family, as well as cooking, reading, swimming, practicing Muay Thai kickboxing, hiking and the outdoors, in general.

What is your favorite place to visit?

I love to spend time on the Outer Banks beaches of North Carolina.

What is your favorite day of the week and why?

It's a toss-up between Monday and Friday. Friday means that it's time to spend some quality time with my wife and children. Monday is because it's time to start tackling what the week has in store for me.

What is your favorite c-store item?

Currently, I would have to say electronic cigarettes. It's been a fun category to manage, and our guests are really excited about them as well.

What was the last thing to make you laugh out loud?

I like to laugh, so I'm not sure that I can pinpoint exactly what it may have been. I might even be laughing now.

If you were stuck on a deserted island with no hopes of rescue, who is the last person you'd want with you?

Someone without a sense of humor.

If you were to change careers, what would you want to do?

Maybe a financial analyst. I love the numbers.

What fictional character would you like to spend a week with?

Who lives in a pineapple under the sea? SpongeBob SquarePants!

What is your favorite non-alcoholic drink?

Red Bull Total Zero.

If you could be another person for a day, who would you be and why?

I wouldn't want to be someone else.

What do you do when you are stressed out?

Go for a run or take it out on the heavy bag.

If you would like to be the subject of an IAQ, please contact Angela Hanson, Assistant Editor, at (201) 855-7619 or [email protected].