LAVAL, Quebec -- With two executives exiting its eastern divisions in a month, at least one analyst suggests a "power struggle" may be under way between Alimentation Couche-Tard's East and West divisions.
The company announced Tuesday that Stephane Gonthier, senior vice president of eastern North America, will leave the company effective Thursday, June 21.
Attempts to reach Gonthier for comment were unsuccessful at press time; however, more than one company official confirmed he is leaving the company. It is known that Gonthier [image-nocss] is not retiring, but neither contact could offer additional information about his leaving the company.
The exit comes a month after Charles "Mick" Parker resigned as vice president of Couche-Tard's Florida and Gulf Coast arm of Circle K. It was Gonthier who announced Parker's exit in a letter to regional employees. Parker left to take the top position at the Village Pantry convenience-store chain based in Indianapolis.
The analyst, who spoke to CSP Daily News on the condition of anonymity, said the dual departures are not a good sign for the East Coast divisions of Couche-Tard. He also suggested a "power struggle" may be under way within the chain. The Couche-Tard contacts did not comment on that.
Gonthier, previously an attorney, joined Couche-Tard in 1998 as vice president of legal affairs, petroleum operation and secretary, according to the company Web site. In 1999, he became vice president of Eastern Canada, and in 2004, he was appointed to his most recent position leading the Eastern North America division. For 18 months from April 2004 through December 2005, he also served as vice president of operation for Central Canada.
Laval, Quebec-based Alimentation Couche-Tard is the largest c-store operator in Canada with a network of more than 2,000 stores, as well as a considerable presence in the United States, where the company has more than 3,000 c-stores. More than 3,600 of the stores are company-operated, and nearly 1,400 are operated under the company's affiliate program.
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