The Dreaded Words, “We Need to Talk”

Promoting and Advancing Petroleum Marketing, Retail Grocery, and Convenience Stores in West Virginia

Driving Local Business and Community Growth Across West Virginia

Our Purpose and Commitment

OMEGA is a West Virginia-based organization dedicated to supporting and advancing the business interests of the state’s petroleum marketing, retail grocery, and convenience store industries.

As a network of over 225 locally owned businesses, OMEGA actively promotes cooperation, advocates for favorable legislation, and provides education and resources to its members. With over 50,000 employees, OMEGA members significantly contribute to the state’s economy, generating more than 10% of all state taxes and supporting local communities through scholarships, charitable donations, and civic involvement.

OMEGA is committed to fostering industry growth while serving West Virginians with essential services like fuel, food, and convenience.

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Join a Community that Champions, Connects, and Elevates!

Your Essential Connection in West Virginia

OMEGA offers three types of membership: Convenience Store Members, Petroleum Marketer Members, and Grocer Members, all of which play a vital role in providing fuel, food, and essentials across West Virginia. As a liaison with state and national agencies, OMEGA works closely with organizations like NACS, PMAA, FMI, and the N.G.A. to advocate on behalf of its members.

We keep members informed through newsletters, legislative updates, an online resource hub, and educational seminars. Additional member benefits include access to the Encova Workers’ Compensation Discount Program and participation in our annual Trade Expo and fundraising efforts for children’s charities. OMEGA is here to support, advocate, and enhance the success of our industry members.

Whether you receive them or deliver them, the words “we need to talk” are usually accompanied by a stomach churn. The reason is simple, that phrase usually means there is an area of concern that has been avoided, danced around, or alluded to, but not covered in previous exchanges and now needs to be brought out into the open and faced head-on.

By David Fikes, Executive Director, FMI Foundation <img src="https://www.fmi.org/images/default-source/blog-images/jan2021_cfi_digital_dialogues_promo.tmb-large-350-.png?sfvrsn=660a10aa_1" data-displaymode="Thumbnail" alt="Jan2021_CFI_Digital_Dialogues_Promo" title="Jan2021_CFI_Digital_Dialogues_Promo" style="float: right; margin: 10px;" /> Whether you receive them or deliver them, the words “we need to talk” are usually accompanied by a stomach churn. The reason is simple, that phrase usually means there is an area of concern that has been avoided, danced around, or alluded to, but not covered in previous exchanges and now needs to be brought out into the open and faced head-on. “We need to talk” means the discomfort we’ve skirted must now be embraced and confronted. It is seldom simple, often distressful and very infrequently settled in one conversation. Adequately addressing an issue that has been building up over time, usually requires multiple exchanges to unravel the knots, tease out the various strands and get to the heart of the matter. That requires learning to patiently sit more comfortably with the discomfort before resolution can be found. We may wish it were quick and easy, but “we need to talk” usually means things have gotten complicated. This is true on a personal level and it is doubly true when it comes to tackling social issues. There is no magic wand to wave and make all the racial justice, diversity and inclusion issues disappear from our industry, our society or our world. These are complex topics, fraught with emotion and historical baggage that will require long term concerted discussions, honest exchanges, and disciplined dialogue to address. It is for this reason that FMI and the <a href="https://foodintegrity.org/">Center for Food Integrity</a> have committed to host an ongoing series of digital dialogues addressing the issues of racial justice, diversity and inclusion within the various sectors of the food industry. This initiative is offered to provide a safe place where food industry leaders can discuss how race and diversity issues are being addressed in their companies, including the challenges they’ve faced, progress they’ve made and opportunities that remain. Having hosted two of them, we can attest there are things learned and resources shared in every exchange. Our next digital dialogue takes place on January 20, 2021, at 4 pm EST. In this session, Mike Haddad of Schreiber Foods and Purdue University’s Candace Croney, Ph.D. will discuss racial justice, inclusion and diversity in the food and agriculture sector. As with our previous digital dialogue webcasts, this discussion will be moderated by A’Yanna Webster, Ph.D., CEO of Winning Within & Associates, Howard and Ackerman. Please join us in this ongoing conversation as “we need to talk” about these issues. <a href="https://lookeast.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_LttNDNcnS_6MEKvLNgO8vQ" class="button">Register for Webinar</a> <a href="https://www.fmi.org/foundation/our-accomplishments/single/foundation-blog/2020/10/28/racial-justice-inclusion-and-diversity-initiative" class="button">Recordings of Previous Webinars</a>

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Supporting West Virginia Communities

OMEGA members play a vital role in West Virginia, supporting communities through substantial tax contributions and a wide-reaching presence across the state. With over 55% of the population living in border counties, our members are dedicated to serving both local and regional needs. Beyond business, we’re proud to give back, having contributed over $3.1 million to children’s charities since 2003, reflecting our commitment to making a positive difference.