Arko Corp. has appointed Robert Giammatteo as its executive vice president and chief financial officer, effective Jan. 2. He will also serve as CFO of Arko convenience-store subsidiary GPM Investments LLC.
Giammatteo’s appointment is the culmination of a process to identify a successor for Don Bassell, the company’s current CFO, who at the beginning of 2023 announced his intention to retire by the end of the year.
Giammatteo joins Arko as an experienced financial leader of both public and private companies, most recently serving as executive vice president, CFO and chief transformation officer for grocery, convenience and retail pharmacy operator Giant Eagle Inc., Pittsburgh. Prior to Giant Eagle, he spent nearly 15 years in executive finance roles with retailers and apparel companies including Ascena Retail Group, VF Corporation and Limited Brands.
“We expect that Robb’s leadership and incredibly relevant, multi-segment retail experience will significantly benefit the Arko team,” said Arie Kotler, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Arko Corp. “As our business grows and continues to expand, his expertise in finance, strategic leadership, and transformational management will help us skillfully reach new levels of development and management as one of the leading public companies in the convenience store industry. We’re grateful to Don Bassell for his leadership over a combined 17 years, and for continuing with Arko to ensure a smooth transition.”
As previously announced, Bassell will remain with the company until approximately April 2024 to assist with Giammatteo’s transition.
Bassell held the CFO position at GPM from 2004 to 2010. Prior to returning to Richmond, Va.-based GPM, Don served as CFO of Mid-Atlantic Convenience Stores (MACS), also based in Richmond, helping to grow that chain, which was since acquired by Philadelphia-based Sunoco. Bassell re-joined GPM as CFO in 2014.
“I am very excited to join the highly experienced team at Arko,” said Giammatteo. “The company has significant growth opportunity through both organic initiatives and ongoing acquisition activity, and I look forward to working with the entire Arko organization to enhance shareholder value through execution of our long-term growth strategy.”
- Arko Corp. is the parent company of GPM Investments, which is No. 6 onCSP’s 2023 Top 202ranking of the largest c-store chains in the country.
Arko operates in four segments: retail, which includes convenience stores selling merchandise and fuel; wholesale, which supplies fuel to independent dealers and consignment agents; GPM Petroleum, which sells and supplies fuel to its retail and wholesale sites; and fleet fueling, which includes the operation of proprietary and third-party cardlock locations and issuance of proprietary fuel cards that provide customers access to a nationwide network of fueling sites. GPM’s “family of brands“ includes Fas Mart, Shore Stop, Scotchman, BreadBox, Young’s, Li’l Cricket, Next Door Store, Village Pantry and Apple Market, among others c-store chains.
Members help make our journalism possible. Become a CSP member today and unlock exclusive benefits, including unlimited access to all of our content. Sign up here.