LA PLATA, Md. -- The Wills Group Inc. has appointed Julian B. (Blackie) Wills III as president of The Wills Group’s retail-marketing unit, which includes Dash In Food Stores, Splash In Eco Car Wash, SMO Motor Fuels and Potomac Energy Holdings, a joint venture with Motiva Enterprises LLC.
Blackie Wills, whose tenure began Sept. 1, succeeds Melvin L. Strine, who is stepping down as president of the retail marketing group after 16 years with The Wills Group.
For the past four years, Wills has served as director of real estate and development across The Wills Group, with oversight for management of 286 properties across Delaware, Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C.
“Blackie’s leadership of our real estate portfolio during the past four years has been transformative,” said Lock Wills, chairman, CEO and president of The Wills Group, La Plata, Md. “His efforts have resulted in unprecedented growth for our business. I know Blackie will bring this same kind of leadership as he takes charge of The Wills Group’s retail marketing unit.”
“It is an honor to succeed Mel Strine,” said Blackie Wills. “I have been fortunate to work with Mel during the past decade, which has allowed me to observe and learn from one of the best. I look forward to working in close partnership with the retail marketing team to further develop a customer-centric culture that enhances the Dash In experience for our guests, and supports innovation and financial growth across the businesses that make up the retail marketing unit.”
The Wills Group retail-marketing unit consists of 57 Dash In convenience stores across Maryland, Delaware and Virginia; 37 Splash In Eco Car Washes; SMO Motor Fuels, a subsidiary of The Wills Group; and The Wills Group’s retail petroleum distribution and fuel convenience-center network.
SMO Motor Fuels is one of the largest independent Shell Oil marketers in the United States, with 286 locations that also feature Exxon, CITGO and Dash In fuels. Potomac Energy Holdings is a joint venture with Motiva Enterprises, and operates Shell-branded retail locations throughout central and western Maryland, as well as across Montgomery, Prince George’s, Howard and Frederick counties.
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.