New CEO To Handle State's Fuel And Retail

By Ryan Keith/

RK PK Solutions

The state’s premier organization representing gas stations and convenience stores today announces the hiring of an experienced state government relations professional as the new CEO of the Illinois Fuel and Retail Association.

Nate Harris, of Springfield, replaces Josh Sharp as the leader of IFRA. Sharp left IFRA for another advocacy leadership role in early July after five years as CEO.

Harris joins the IFRA from the Health Care Council of Illinois, where he served as legislative director for the membership association representing skilled nursing facilities. Before that role, Harris worked for the Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus for seven years in various political and state legislative roles.

He is a graduate of Augustana College and Loyola University of Chicago Law School and grew up in Western Springs in Chicago’s western suburbs where he still has family. He lives in Illinois’ capital city with his wife, son, and two dogs.

Harris said he is excited for the opportunity to lead IFRA as it works to build on the important changes under Sharp’s leadership to help advance the policy priorities and support for petroleum marketers and convenience store owners.

Sharp joined IFRA in 2019 and led the organization through a branding and structural transition to IFRA. He replaced longtime association leader Bill Fleischli, who retired from the Illinois Petroleum Marketers Association and Illinois Association of Convenience Stores after more than 25 years.

IFRA Board President John McGovern said the latest leadership transition is bittersweet but an exciting new chapter for the organization.

IFRA represents more than 500 small business companies in the petroleum distribution industry, and its members collect, remit and administrate $1.4 billion in motor fuel taxes for the State of Illinois each year. For more on the Illinois Fuel and Retail Association, visit: https://www.fuelingillinois.com/.