2026 Category Manager of the Year
What is CMOY?
For the past decade, the Category Manager of the Year Award (CMOY) honors those who exemplify the future of the convenience-store industry, foster meaningful relationships, and drive innovative thinking. Two winners will be chosen per category from a pool of nominated candidates who represent both small and large chains. The winners were announced during the Convenience Retailing University 2026 in Austin, TX, and be featured in the April issue of CSP magazine.
Finalists: Beyond the Counter - Large Chain
Congratulations to our Beyond the Counter - Large Chain 2026 Category Manager of the Year winner, Alex Kupper!
Finalists: Beyond the Counter - Small Chain
Congratulations to our Beyond the Counter - Small Chain 2026 Category Manager of the Year winner, Jessica Starnes!
Finalists: Center Store - Large Chain
Congratulations to our Center Store - Large Chain 2026 Category Manager of the Year winner, Michael Burke!
Finalists: Center Store - Small Chain
Congratulations to our Center Store - Small Chain 2026 Category Manager of the Year winner, Rebecca Gregory!
Finalists: Dispensed Beverages - Large Chain
Congratulations to our Dispensed Beverages - Large Chain 2026 Category Manager of the Year winner, Stephen Murray!
Finalists: Dispensed Beverages - Small Chain
Congratulations to our Dispensed Beverages - Small Chain 2026 Category Manager of the Year winner, Matthew Rogers!
Finalists: Foodservice - Large Chain
Congratulations to our Foodservice - Large Chain 2026 Category Manager of the Year winner, Kate Weisman!
Finalists: Foodservice - Small Chain
Congratulations to our Foodservice - Small Chain 2026 Category Manager of the Year winner, Madison Malone!
Finalists: Loyalty + Tech - Large Chain
Congratulations to our Loyalty + Tech - Large Chain 2026 Category Manager of the Year winner, Lanna O'Connor!
Finalists: Loyalty + Tech - Small Chain
Congratulations to our Loyalty + Tech - Small Chain 2026 Category Manager of the Year winner, Abigail Cerra!
Finalists: Alcohol - Large Chain
Congratulations to our Alcohol - Large Chain 2026 Category Manager of the Year winner, Nick Gierer!
Finalists: Alcohol - Small Chain
Congratulations to our Alcohol - Small Chain 2026 Category Manager of the Year winner, Kathy Williams!
Finalists: Non-Alcohol - Large Chain
Congratulations to our Non-Alcohol - Large Chain 2026 Category Manager of the Year winner, Danna Engelbrecht!
Finalists: Non-Alcohol - Small Chain
Congratulations to our Non-Alcohol - Large Chain 2026 Category Manager of the Year winner, Daniel Scott!