Gulf Oil signaled its return to Virginia this month by announcing a branded distributor partnership with Milo C. Cockerham Inc.
Cockerham plans to begin rebranding several former Chevron motor fuel outlets in southwest Virginia to the new Gulf “Sunrise” image. This is the first time since 1986 that a Gulf Oil branded gas station will operate in Virginia.
“We are pleased to rejoin the Gulf family,” said Danny Cockerham, president of Milo C. Cockerham Inc. “My family owned a Gulf gas station back in 1942 and was affiliated with the name for 44 years. We were excited by the opportunity to come back to our roots. We are looking forward to a long, successful partnership with Gulf in the region.”
“The kind of goodwill and belief in the Gulf brand is strong in this part of the country, and we are pleased to have that kind of recognition and loyalty,” said Gulf Oil Senior Vice President and Chief Sales and Marketing Officer Rick Dery. “We remain steadfastly committed to living up to those high standards by working with branded distributors, such as Milo C. Cockerham Inc. and offering high-quality service to the driving public.”
The company has more than 5 million drivers in the state, noted Ron Sabia, Gulf Oil president and chief operating officer for Gulf Oil. Operating in Virginia he said will strengthen Gulf’s reputation as a premium gasoline retailer nationwide. “Our entrance into Virginia underscores our long-term commitment to support the Mid-Atlantic market,” he added.
Gulf Oil distributes motor fuels through a network of more than 2,000 branded gasoline retail centers, 12 proprietary oil terminals, and a network of more than 70 other supply terminals.