NATSO Truckstop and Travel Center Experts

NATSO has a deep bench of experienced staff who are happy to share their knowledge. These industry leaders have knowledge and expertise in a multitude of areas to assist listeners in maximizing their operations and profitability as well as gain a better understanding of the industry and the regulations that impact it.

Contact Amy Toner, the NATSO Foundation’s executive director at (703) 739-8570 or atoner@natso.com to inquire about speaking opportunities.

NATSO staff are available to speak on:

  • Alternative fuels supply, logistics, fuel quality and regulatory compliance;
  • Current state of the truckstop and travel center industry;
  • Food service;
  • Fuel purchasing and fuel branding guidance;
  • Government relations, regulations and politics;
  • Highway and transportation policy;
  • Motor fuel issues, including biofuels and electric vehicle policy;
  • RIN management;
  • Shop repair;
  • Truckstop and travel center industry trends;
  • Truckstop and travel center operations;
  • Truckstop and travel center retail;
  • Truckstop and travel center store layouts and site designs; and
  • Much more.

Darren Schulte, vice president, membership, is available to perform a NATSO Travel Center Profit Drivers custom assesment. Learn more about a NATSO Travel Center Profit Drivers custom assesment here. Additionaly, using her 20-year background in communications, media relations and public affairs, Tiffany Wlazlowski Neuman, vice president, public affairs, is an experienced moderator and panel discussion facilitator.

Meet the Truckstop and Travel Center Experts

Lisa Mullings; President and CEO
Mullings has served as NATSO’s president and CEO since 2004. She originally joined NATSO in January 1995 as the associate director of government affairs, later taking on the role of vice president of public affairs and counsel. In that capacity, she lobbied on transportation and tax issues and managed NATSO’s strategic communication plan. Prior to joining NATSO, Mullings was the communications and government affairs manager for the National Association of Chemical Recyclers. She also served for five years as a staff member on the House transportation committee.

Areas of Expertise: The current state of the truckstop and travel plaza industry as well as industry trends, government relations, rest area commercialization, truck parking

David Fialkov, Executive Vice President of Government Affairs
Since 2015, Fialkov has advocated for NATSO members on legislative and regulatory issues, including transportation, energy, labor, data security, payment systems and taxes. He also provides education on legal issues affecting the industry. Before joining NATSO, he was an associate with Steptoe and Johnson where he provided comprehensive government relations counsel to wide array of corporate, trade associations and non-profit clients with a focus on fuel, transportation, healthcare and technology issues. Contact Fialkov at dfialkov@natso.com or (703) 739-8501.

Areas of Expertise: Government relations and politics; motor fuel issues, including biofuels and electric vehicle policy; highway and transportation policy.

Ginger Laidlaw, Vice President, NATSO’s Alternative Fuels Council
Laidlaw is an expert in navigating the complex compliance requirements of state and federal fuel regulations, including the RFS, Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) and Clean Fuels Program (CFP). Laidlaw can speak on registering with the EPA under the RFS, IRS and state and federal regulations regarding alternative fuels. Contact Laidlaw at glaidlaw@natso.com or (515) 988.1626.

Areas of Expertise: Alternative fuels supply, logistics, fuel quality, maximizing ROI and fuel profits, RIN management and regulatory compliance

Tiffany Wlazlowski Neuman, Vice President, Public Affairs
Wlazlowski Neuman develops and executes communications strategies to advance NATSO’s public relations and advocacy goals. She also creates and oversees partnerships related to the NATSO Foundation’s public outreach initiatives. A former business journalist, Wlazlowski Neuman has a 20-year background in communications, media relations and public affairs that brings a unique perspective to her work on such issues as transportation policy, combating human trafficking and public relations. Wlazlowski Neuman joined NATSO in 1999 as the Senior Director of Communications and Public Affairs before being promoted to her current position in 2016. Prior to joining NATSO, Wlazlowski Neuman served as Director of Public Affairs and Deputy Press Secretary at the American Trucking Associations. Contact Wlazlowski Neuman at twlazlowski@natso.com
 or (703) 739-8578.

Areas of Expertise: Transportation, tolling, truck parking, human trafficking, public affairs, media relations

Neuman is experienced in moderating and facilitating panel discussions.

Darren Schulte, Vice President, Membership
Schulte has first-hand experience within the industry having held management positions at several truckstop and travel center locations. He also worked with one of the country’s largest industry suppliers before joining NATSO. Today he shares his expertise with members through site reviews, offering suggestions on how operators can boost sales and improve their customers’ experiences. He is responsible for developing or enhancing NATSO products, services and/or programs, particularly those relating to education, research and training for travel center operators. Contact Schulte at dschulte@natso.com or (703) 739-8562.

Schulte is available to perform a NATSO Travel Center Profit Drivers custom assesment. Learn more about a NATSO Travel Center Profit Drivers custom assesment here

Areas of Expertise: Retail sales, industry Leadership, customer experience, store layout and site design, industry trends and day-to-day operations.