The first chief operating officer in Stewart’s Shops history is 30-year company veteran Chad Kiesow.
Kiesow (pictured), named to the newly created position in November, will assume more responsibilities of Gary Dake, the third-generation president of the Ballston Spa, New York-based convenience-store chain, according to the company’s website.
Before the promotion, Kiesow was vice president of facilities, Stewart’s Shops told CSP. During the past three decades, he has worked in gas marketing, facilities and real estate.
Before Stewart’s Shops, Kiesow, who grew up in central New York, was working as controller at the Bonfare chain when it was acquired by Stewart’s Shops in 1994.
Prior to that, Kiesow was a lead accountant for a Domino’s Pizza distribution center while working his way through Syracuse University, where he earned a bachelor of arts degree in accounting.
- Stewart's Shops is No. 23 on CSP’s 2023 Top 202 ranking of U.S. c-store chains by number of company-owned retail outlets.
On Dec. 18, Kiesow worked a four-hour shift at the company's Round Lake Road shop in Malta, New York, in celebration of a Holiday Match milestone after the shop recorded the biggest increase in donations through the first half of its 2023 Holiday Match campaign, Stewart's Shops said in a story posted on its website.
Kiesow worked the shift to thank customers and shop partners for their generosity and support. They donated more than $4,700 at the shop in the first two weeks, a 150% jump over the same period last year, the website said.
“Working in the shop gives me an even greater appreciation of just how hard our partners work every day,” Kiesow said. “It is humbling just to be a part of Holiday Match. I have nothing but admiration for the generosity of our customers and the dedication of our partners who help make it happen.”
Founded in 1945, Stewart’s Shops is an employee- and family-owned c-store chain known for its milk, ice cream, coffee, Easy Food meals and other convenience items. There are 357 Stewart’s Shops in upstate New York and southern Vermont.
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