Ashley Cullen doesn’t fancy himself a holy being among retailers, but he does know that dropping an occasional bag of Combos onto a gondola doesn’t make for the crowning achievement in inventory management. “When I first got here, we were lucky if we got $200 a day in deli,” Cullen said. “Now we’re averaging $450…
Slam Dunk
The influx of people moving to western North Carolina from the Northeast and Florida—both areas where Dunkin’ Donuts does a booming business—was one reason Citizens Fuel Co. is excited these days to be adding Dunkin’ franchises to at least three of its 10 Citi Stop c-stores. “We felt it was a huge opportunity to fill…
A True Up and Comer
LIKE A LOT OF people in the industry, Terry Johnson, director of marketing for Chester, Va.-based Uppy’s/Southside Oil, got his start by working the cash register at a local c-store while earning his business degree. Soon after graduation, Johnson became a store manager, the fi rst step toward his 30-year career in the business. Johnson,…
familial operations
Unlike many retailers profiled in Rising Stars, Kurt Straube always knew he would have a career in the convenience industry. Kurt StraubeDari Mart Stores His grandparents purchased afarm in Junction City, Ore., back in 1940, which grewinto Lochmead Dairy, a milk processing plant, and Dari MartStores in 1965. Three generations of his family have been…
service to the fleet
Jim Goldade has had an interest in the grocery andretail business since he was 15 years old. That passionhas fueled his dedication to the Coast Guard Exchangestores, where he
growing with the business
As Alan Drake grew up in central Colorado, he found himself working for a local convenience store through high school. At the time, Kwik Stop had just one store operating out of its headquarters in Penrose,Colo. Drake learned the business from the ground up—stocking shelves, sweeping parking lots and putting a smile on customers’ faces.…
energizing the rockies
Steve EwingSuncor Energy USA Steve ewing has spent a solid 20 years working hisway through the convenience industry. As merchandising manager for Suncor Energy USA, Ewing works tocontrol categories, balance profits and grow the business of 44 Phillips 66-branded c-stores, based largely in theDenver area. Together with contract agreements to supply 150Phillips 66 gas stations…
all in the family
Terry Gallagher, Jr.Smoker Friendly International LLC Terry Gallagher, Jr. may very well have oil in hisblood. The first and only president of Boulder, Col.-basedGasamat Oil Corp. dba Smoker Friendly International LLC,Gallagher grew up pumping gas and washing windshieldsunder his father’s watch. He spent college summers getting hishands dirty in the oil fields and refineries, all…
blockandtackle
Marlin Larson: Convenience Management Group dba On the Run When Marlin larson started his education,he thought he would teach kids a thing or twoin the classroom or coaching a team. The former has come true for some of his employees at Convenience Management Group’s (CMG) nine ExxonMobil Onthe Run stores, but it’s the lessons Larson…
entrepreneural spirit
Russ ScaramellaArizona Oil Holdings LLC Russ scaramella may not have had a specific career in mind growing up, but he's always had a passion for business and working with people. Scaramella channeled that passion into something positive when he and partner Delery Guillory decided to create Arizona Oil Holdings LLC. Before creating Arizona Oil, Scaramella…