WESTLAKE, Ohio -- Thomas O’Brien, president and CEO of TravelCenters of America LLC (TA), has resigned effective Dec. 31, the company has announced. The TA board has appointed Andrew Rebholz, a 20-year veteran of TA and currently its executive vice president, CFO and treasurer, to be the new CEO.
The board of directors has also named Barry Richards, a 17-year veteran of TA and currently its executive vice president, as president and COO, and William Myers, currently senior vice president and chief accounting officer, as executive vice president, CFO and treasurer.
O’Brien has also resigned as a managing director of TA’s board effective Dec. 31, and he will be replaced by Adam Portnoy, president and CEO of The RMR Group Inc., an alternative asset management company that provides management services to commercial real-estate companies and related businesses, including TA.
O’Brien’s retirement agreement provides that he will remain an employee of TA to assist with the transition of his duties until June 30, 2018. Thereafter, he will be available to assist TA on an as-needed basis.
“I believe I speak for everyone associated with TA when I say ‘Thank you’ to Tom for the leadership and creative vision that he brought to TA since he was appointed CEO in 2007,” said Rebholz. “I am excited to take on the leadership of this dynamic company.
“TA has become a leader in the travel-center industry by providing a complete package of services to our trucking company customers, including large parking lots, multiple food options and driver amenities, a large variety of convenience-store goods, competitively priced fuel and industry-leading expertise in truck maintenance and repair work, which I believe has the ability to significantly expand,” he continued. “I also expect that we will continue to offer high-quality, value-priced goods and services to our existing customers including in our Minit Mart convenience stores and our Quaker Steak & Lube automotive-themed restaurants and that we will remain on constant alert to find ways to serve new customers.”
Richards said, “During the past few years, I have sequentially led each of the major business lines at TA: TA nonfuel retail operations, including more than 800 restaurants and almost 500 convenience stores; TA’s commercial and retail fuel sales; and, recently, TA’s industry-leading truck maintenance, repair and tire sales and services. I am excited to realize the potential for each of these businesses and I look forward to finding more ways to deliver value to our customers.”
Westlake, Ohio-based TA’s nationwide operations includes travel centers located along the U.S. interstate highway system in 43 states and in Canada, stand-alone c-stores in 11 states and stand-alone restaurants in 14 states. TA’s travel centers operate under the brand names TravelCenters of America, TA, Petro Stopping Centers and Petro; they offer diesel and gasoline fueling, full- and quick-service restaurants, truck maintenance and repair services, travel/c-stores and other goods and services.
TA’s c-stores operate principally under the Minit Mart brand name and offer gasoline fueling as well as nonfuel products and services such as coffee, groceries, fresh food items and other convenience items.
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