Powering Journeys Podcast

Summary: What you can buy at a convenience store has changed dramatically over the past two decades, and so has the way you get your fuel and snacks. No one knows this better than Jay Erickson, COO of Parkland USA, who grew up working in the retail industry, following in the footsteps of his parents. A good convenience store isn’t just about a better selection of foods, it’s also about the experience, and the amenities attached. Jay shares his wisdom on how COVID and technology have already changed the customer experience, and what the next evolution of convenience stores will be.

Summary: Taking care of our planet is paramount. Every good business looks for ways to lessen the impacts of its operations on the environment and society. Jeff Bush is a driving force behind Parkland’s desire to improve at every level and scale. From solar panels to an Electric Vehicle charging network, to renewable fuels, Jeff offers a fresh perspective on how small steps in many regions can add up to a lot of work on the journey towards sustainability.

Summary: Humble, hungry, and smart. Parkland employs roughly 6,000 people across 25 countries, and they describe it as a place where they can truly grow. Branon Wood knows all about the opportunities available at Parkland - for both new hires and veterans like himself. Starting his career in recruitment, Brandon now leads in government relations and understands why employees love to work at Parkland. From the corporate programs used to bring the right people on board, to retention, he gives us a look at why Parkland is a great place to work.

Summary: Giving back gives us purpose. When a company operates across 25 countries, it relies on its employees to give them insight into the communities they serve. One of the ways Parkland does this is through the Parkland Pledge program. Deborah Edward is a community advocate in St. Lucia leading the way in making her community better for young girls and has been instrumental during times of crisis, like Hurricane Maria, in the Caribbean. She shares how a company like Parkland has helped her make a difference.

Summary: The quickest paths often leave the most behind. Everyone wants to jump ahead to a time when sustainability is easy, but the energy transition is not going to happen overnight, which is why we must celebrate the small steps along the journey. Monica Mochoruk and Simon Scott share the importance of developing today’s technologies and infrastructures to be more sustainable, and how these developments embody Parkland’s vision of not leaving anyone behind on the path to sustainable end goal solutions.

Summary: Can bio-waste power our vehicles? What are renewable fuels? How do they get made? What does this mean for our carbon footprint? Grace Goble gives us a primer on how Parkland takes waste – and co-processes it to make lower carbon emission fuels. It sounds super complicated, and it is, but Parkland is making leaps and bounds in the renewable fuels sector and Grace gives us some insight into where co-processing can go in the future.

Summary: The term “carbon offset” – you've likely seen it or heard about it, but perhaps you don’t know what it really means. Chelsea Erhardt breaks it down for us, sheds light on what it means for the environment, and explains how companies like Parkland ensure they are choosing reputable projects to invest in. Chelsea also has a way you can easily get involved with carbon offsets, and at no cost to you.

Summary: Electric vehicles are more commonplace than ever before, but they still make up about 1 percent of cars on our roads. One of the biggest reasons behind a lack of adoption – is a lack of infrastructure. Scott Sharabura sheds light on Parkland's plans to re-envision the public charging experience for customers with electric vehicles.  From on-site activities and food offers to amenities to location, the charging destination of the future will be a place people want to go.