CSP Magazine

On the Record: Tony Kenney

For Speedway CEO, Cleveland Rocks

Tony Kenney is president of Speedway LLC, the retail arm of Marathon Petroleum Corp. Kenney has spent his entire career with Marathon. He joined the company in 1976 as an accountant and worked his way up the ranks before being named Speedway president in 2005. Kenney and his wife, Jean, have two children, Raymond and John, and a grandson, Theodore. He tells CSP about growing up in Cleveland, historical figures that have meant a lot to him, and the sports teams that will go all the way.

Best memories of growing up in Cleveland:

Summers during grade school were some of the best years of my life. A large group of us around the same age hung out together. We rode bikes, went to the park and played baseball almost every day. They were simpler times—no cellphones or video games. We all knew when we needed to be home.

Most important historical figures:

First, Winston Churchill. World War II and the decade of the ’60s were, in my opinion, the most defining times of the 20th century. More history was written during those times than any other period in the post-19th century era. My second hero is Elvis Presley. I love music, especially rock ’n’ roll. The hits from the ’50s through the early ’70s are my favorite. Who else had more influence on rock than The King?

Biggest professional risks and what he learned from them:

Shortly after I was appointed president of Speedway, we [did] a companywide reorganization. Those were stressful times, but as I look back, I would say things worked out OK. The other is the development and introduction of our loyalty program, Speedy Rewards. At the time, there were few attempting loyalty in the convenience channel. [It was] a bit risky in a business where pennies mean so much. It remains the centerpiece to our marketing platform and means so much to our loyal customers.

Browns or Indians: Which will win a championship first?

Technically, the Indians were already first. They won a world championship in 1920 and in 1948. If you ask who will win one next, I would have to say the Indians. They are close and lost a heartbreaker in the 2016 World Series against the Chicago Cubs. The pieces are in place for another run in 2018, but the window is closing. They need to stay healthy and peak at the right time. This is a sad year for me, as the Indians will retire the iconic Chief Wahoo logo.

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