LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Thorntons Inc. has announced the promotions of several executives. The company has named Tony Harris chief operating officer of the convenience store chain. Harris will be responsible for operations, marketing, gasoline pricing, brand management, customer experience and retail strategy.
Thorntons also announced that John A. Zikias has been named senior vice president of category management and supply chain for both the fuel and merchandise categories. In his new role Zikias will be responsible for category management, merchandise and fuel sales, commissary operations, car wash operations, supply chain/distribution and public relations.
Rodney Loyd is now director of brand development and strategic initiatives, responsible for consumer communications, brand management and research. Jason Doyle has been promoted to southern division vice president of operations. Matt Dabulis is the new northern division vice president of operations. Both Doyle and Dabulis will be responsible for retail operations in their respective regions.
A Thorntons Inc. veteran of 17 years, Harris, 40, most recently served as vice president of operations. He joined Thorntons in 1994 and has held various leadership roles in the Information Technology functional area, including director of informational technology projects and vice president of information technology and facility services.
"We are excited to appoint Tony as our new COO. His leadership of our retail strategy, which has helped result in Thorntons' unprecedented growth, combined with his inherent business expertise, will continue to ensure the organization is even stronger and more focused as the public's favorite on-the-go shopping destination," said Matt Thornton, CEO and president.
Founded by Kentucky native James H. Thornton in 1971, Thorntons is one of the leading U.S. independent gasoline and convenience chain retailers. With more than $1.4 billion in revenue, Thorntons is one of largest privately held corporations in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Based in Louisville, Thorntons operates 162 gasoline and convenience stores, car washes and travel plazas in five states: Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and Tennessee. Thorntons distributes its petroleum products through its wholly owned Thornton Transportation Co. and operates a river bulk storage terminal in Louisville.
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