Welcome to the Convenience-Store Women (CSW) People Roundup, where women in the convenience-store industry are highlighted for career changes, promotions, retirements and more each month. Read on for news about retailers, suppliers, distributors and more.
Retailers:
Judy Love, co-founder of Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores, Oklahoma City, died Nov. 5 in Oklahoma City. She was 87. Alongside her late husband, Tom Love, Judy Love was instrumental in building their family-owned business, Love’s Travel Stops, which they founded in 1964 with a $5,000 loan. Her financial acumen and dedication to the company’s growth saw her serve as secretary and treasurer as it expanded into 42 states. Her warm spirit, generosity and commitment to community service earned her widespread admiration, the company said.
Love's Travel Stops & Country Stores is No. 16 on CSP’s 2024 Top 202 ranking of U.S. convenience-store chains by store count.
EG America has hired several leaders recently, including Elizabeth Pierce (pictured below), chief operating officer. Prior to her new role, Pierce was president and CEO of Applegreen’s U.S. c-store operations, where she grew the business to a $1 billion enterprise across 18 states and more than 220 retail locations. She also was an executive board member of the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS). The Westborough, Massachusetts-based chain also hired Mendy Meriwether as its new vice president of food, dispensed beverage and quick-service restaurants. Meriwether was previously at Wawa for more than 20 years. In addition, Diana Styles is the company’s new chief human resources officer, replacing Sandra Tierney, who recently retired. Joanna Benison was named vice president of transformation and strategy.
- EG America is No. 5 on CSP’s 2024 Top 202 U.S. c-store chains by store count. Applegreen is No. 32.
Suppliers:
Electronic-cigarette maker Juul Labs Inc., Washington, has appointed Melissa Wisdom as its new managing director. In her new role, Wisdom will oversee all of Juul Labs Inc.’s current and future UK commercial activities, in addition to leveraging her talents in international markets. Prior to her new role, Wisdom served as chief commercial officer at Stonegate Group in England, where she expanded her remit from sales and marketing to encompass a broad commercial role. She also served as commercial director for the on-trade at Britain's Diageo.
CandyRific, LLC and Hilco Sweets have named Alex Guarneri as the new director of sourcing. Guarneri will oversee the companies’ sourcing strategies, supplier relationships and the Louisville, Kentucky-based company’s procurement processes. With over a decade of experience in the consumer-packaged goods (CPG) industry, Guarneri previously was with The Bazooka Companies, Inc. as senior manager of new product sourcing and commercialization in New York City. Prior to that, she held positions with Mars and the Frankford Company. She is a graduate of Drexel University’s Westphal College of Media Arts and Design.
Technology:
Digital marketplace Upside, Washington, D.C., has named Kiki Burton (pictured above) as the company’s new chief growth officer. Prior to joining Upside, Burton led growth marketing and new business at software development company Plaid. In her new role, Burton will focus on expanding active retailers and driving engagement.
Holly Knightly is the new chief financial officer for market research firm Circana, Chicago. Knightly previously was executive vice president of global finance, performance and transformation. She succeeds Anne Bramman, who will transition over the next few weeks following a successful tenure helping to bring together the strategy, growth, financial planning, systems and operations for Circana’s heritage companies, IRI and The NPD Group, as the company transitioned into one merged Circana. Already a member of Circana’s executive leadership team, Knightly will lead the global finance and strategy organization including planning, strategy, accounting, treasury, tax, reporting and investor relations.
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