SAN ANTONIO -- A convenience-store technology veteran has joined the ranks of CST Brands Inc., with Jenny Bullard, the longtime CIO of the rural Southeast chain Flash Foods, taking on the role of director of technology innovation.
Bullard spent 44 years at the Waycross, Ga.-based Flash Foods, which The Jones Co. sold to CST in a $425 million deal that closed earlier this month. San Antonio-based CST described the acquisition of the 165-store chain located throughout Georgia and Florida as one that bridged the gap between its stores in the Mid-Atlantic and the South.
Starting out in the accounting department at The Jones Co., Bullard quickly took to the chain’s evolving automation process and eventually moved into the role of CIO. Over the years, she initiated multiple technology projects including item-level inventory, the chain’s GoBlue loyalty program and most recently its mobile app and payments program.
A frequent panelist and speaker at industry technology events, Bullard received numerous achievement awards including Hall of Fame inductions with software provider The Pinnacle Corp., Arlington, Texas, in 2005 and the technology advisory group for the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS), the Alexandria, Va.-based Conexxus in 2014. Bullard was a founding member of Conexxus, which was known for many years as the Petroleum Convenience Alliance for Technology Standards (PCATS).
“We have great respect for the organization and are excited to work with and share best practices with this experienced group," said Kim Lubel, chairman and CEO of CST Brands said upon acquiring Flash Foods.
“I’m so thankful to the Jones family for the opportunity to work for such a great company,” Bullard told CSP Daily News. “Today I start a new chapter in my professional career.”
With the Flash Foods acquisition, CST now has more than 2,000 stores in the United States and Canada offering a broad array of convenience merchandise, beverages, snacks and fresh food.
In the United States, CST Corner Stores sell fuel and signature, fresh-baked products and packaged goods, U Force energy and sport drinks, Cibolo Mountain coffee, FC Soda and Flavors2Go fountain drinks. CST also has locations in Canada, where it is the exclusive provider of Ultramar fuel. Its Dépanneur du Coin and Corner Stores there sell signature Transit Café coffee and pastries.
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