The most impressive display of leadership I’ve ever seen took place at a taxi stand in Barcelona.

The Spanish city was the site of the NACS Convenience Summit Europe in 2024. The day before the event kicked off, Henry Armour walked Bob Hughes (NACS VP of Supplier Relations, Expositions, and Meetings) and I through the store tours we would lead the next day.

After dashing in and out of 20-plus stores, we were running a little late. Henry needed to get back to the hotel for his next function. That brings us to the taxi stand. 

Barcelona is a popular tourist city. The taxi stand was a crowded confusion of languages, cultures and competing taxi-taking protocols. People from around the globe were milling about trying to figure out where the line was (if there was a line) while cabs and rideshares battled for space. 

With a mix of Spanish, English and emphatic hand gestures, Henry took charge. Within half a minute everything was orderly—and everyone was happy and smiling. It was a miniature masterpiece of leadership and persuasion, but it felt like a miracle. I think one in a million people could have pulled it off. 

What happened at the taxi stand illustrates an undeniable fact: NACS has been led for 20 years by a rare talent. The industry as a whole has benefited. 

I’m so happy that Henry is on the cover of this issue, and that we can celebrate everything he’s accomplished. “Celebrating 20 Years of Leadership With Henry Armour” is written by Chrissy Blasinsky, who joined NACS in 2005 and has been here for Henry’s entire 20-year tenure. 

Henry is stepping back, but also stepping up. He’ll provide leadership of the international efforts of NACS starting January 1, when Frank Gleeson—another fantastic executive—becomes the new NACS CEO and president. Want to know more about Frank? Be sure to read the January issue of NACS Magazine, which shares his story.