Tag: National Association of Tobacco Outlets

  • NATO Appoints New Executive Director

    NATO Appoints New Executive Director

    Photo: RerF

    The U.S. National Association of Tobacco Outlets (NATO) has named David Spross as the next executive director.

    With over 23 years working in the tobacco industry, most recently as the senior vice president of government relations and strategic engagement for Reynolds American, Spross brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the executive director role.

    “NATO is the leading voice for retailers of tobacco and nicotine products, and I am thrilled with the opportunity to lead this organization into the next generation of education, engagement and advocacy. As our industry continues to evolve, I look forward to keeping retailers front and center on these important developments,” said Spross.

    “We are excited for this next chapter at NATO under David’s leadership, and we remain incredibly grateful to Tom Briant for founding NATO 23 years ago and for his leadership growing the association to be the premier advocacy organization for tobacco retailers,” notes NATO board President Chris Beaulier.

    NATO’s mission is to enhance the business interests of retailers that sell tobacco and nicotine products, support the legislative and regulatory interest of its members and encourage the expansion of the retail tobacco and nicotine market in a responsible manner. NATO currently has 66,000 members.

    Spross will officially begin as executive director on Sept. 1, 2023.

  • Tom Briant Retires as NATO Director

    Tom Briant Retires as NATO Director

    Image: National Association of Tobacco Outlets

    Tom Briant will be retiring from his position as the executive director of the National Association of Tobacco Outlets (NATO).

    Briant was instrumental in founding NATO 23 years ago and has grown the association to be a leading voice in the industry, according to a press release.

    “I want to express my sincere gratitude to all of those NATO members that I have worked with over the years and who supported the association since it was formed in 2001, and I look forward to seeking new challenges in the industry,” said Briant.

    NATO’s mission is to enhance the business interests of retailers that sell tobacco and nicotine products, support the legislative and regulatory interest of its members and encourage the expansion of the retail tobacco and nicotine market in a responsible manner. NATO currently has 66,000 members.

    The board of directors has begun a search for the next executive director, and interested candidates should contact Chris Beaulier, board president.

  • NATO Celebrates 20th Anniversary

    NATO Celebrates 20th Anniversary

    The U.S. National Association of Tobacco Outlets (NATO) is celebrating its 20th anniversary this month, reports CStore Decisions. The organization was founded in 2001 to fill a need for a national association that served tobacco outlet stores but has expanded to include every category of retail store that sells tobacco products.

    NATO’s mission is to improve business conditions for retailers that sell tobacco in the U.S. while providing information to members on federal, state and local regulations and laws that pertain to the sale, advertising, promotion, regulation and taxation of tobacco products.

    For convenience stores, there is a need for up-to-date information on local, state and federal legislation as well as FDA regulations. NATO has a special expertise on each of these levels of government, which is beneficial to the convenience store segment.

    Thomas Briant, executive director, NATO

    The association also offers retailers information on how best to comply with various regulations and laws as well as how to respond to proposed regulations. NATO’s membership comprises more than 62,000 retail stores (tobacco stores, convenience stores, service stations, grocery stores, liquor stores and corner retail markets).

    NATO counts nearly 30 manufacturers from every segment of the tobacco industry and numerous wholesalers among its members. “For convenience stores, there is a need for up-to-date information on local, state and federal legislation as well as FDA regulations,” said Thomas Briant, executive director of NATO. “NATO has a special expertise on each of these levels of government, which is beneficial to the convenience store segment.”