Last month's slate of executive changes saw some of the convenience store industry’s largest companies appoint new c-suite members. One even named its first-ever chief operating officer — a move that coincides with its ambitious store growth plans.
Here’s more information on that shift, as well as several other notable c-store executive shifts that occurred in February.
And here’s our executive roundup from January, in case you missed it.
Murphy USA appoints its first COO
Murphy USA named Mindy West as its first executive vice president and COO on Feb. 21. She now oversees the company’s strategic initiatives and works to improve synergy across its brands and enhance the performance of the whole business.
West, who had been the company’s executive vice president and chief financial officer since 2013, was replaced in that position by former Dollar Tree executive Galagher Jeff.
Also at this time, Murphy USA elevated Chris Click from senior vice president of strategy and development to executive vice president of strategy, growth and innovation. He now oversees the company’s asset development and digital transformation.
Former Pilot exec joins EG America
EG America introduced Brian Ferguson — who formerly worked as chief merchant for Pilot Company — as its new chief marketing officer on Feb. 12. As CMO for the company, Ferguson will lead retail merchandising, food and dispensed beverage, marketing, category management and all merchandising support functions for EG America.
He brings experience in digital transformation and working with artificial intelligence to EG America, as the company charts a growth path under new president and CEO John Carey.
Ferguson spent just over seven years in the chief merchant role at Pilot — a period that saw the travel center retailer launch a major remodeling program and sell a significant stake of the company to Berkshire Hathaway.
Clipper Petroleum picks new CFO
Clipper Petroleum, which operates more than 25 convenience stores in the Southeast, named Craig Peters as its new chief financial officer on Feb. 21. He officially started in the role on Feb. 26.
As CFO, Peters leads the shared services support to Clipper’s group of businesses, which includes retail; wholesale; the Explorer’s Transport fuel hauling segment; True North Energy Solutions, a c-store turnkey program; and the company’s D-Jay Energy arm. Peters also oversees Clipper’s financial planning, analysis and control, accounting, tax, treasury and credit.
Perry promoted to COO of Tri Star
Tri Star Energy named Steve Perry as its new chief operating officer on Feb. 20.
Perry, who had been Tri Star’s vice president of wholesale operations for the past two years, is continuing his previous duties while also overseeing Tri Star’s facilities’ construction and maintenance department, as well as its supply and logistics team. He now also supports the growth of company initiatives, such as Tri Star’s Twice Daily made-to-order food program, which launched in 2023.
Prior to joining Tri Star in 2022, Perry previously held leadership positions with Majors Management and Empire Petroleum Partners, which is now part of GPM Investments.
Another BP exec joins TA
TravelCenters of America named Robert Grace as its new senior vice president of corporate development in mid-February. He now oversees the travel center chain’s strategic growth.
Grace moved over to TA after spending more than 16 years with parent company BP, and is one of several former BP executives who have shifted to TA since the two companies merged last summer. He joined the oil and gas major in 2007 and went on to hold several leadership positions across a variety of departments.
Global Partners brings in Kum & Go food guru
About two weeks after leaving her executive-level role with Kum & Go, Jac Moskalik was named vice president of culinary services and innovation for Global Partners LP, effective Feb. 22. She is now one of two VP-level foodservice executives at Global Partners. The other is Jason Cooper, vice president and head of food and beverage.
Before her two-year stint with Kum & Go, Moskalik was the corporate director of fresh foods and foodservice for Core-Mark International, the largest marketer of consumer goods in North America. She held that role for nearly two years, and was corporate director of fresh foods before that.
