Not only did July bring a slate of executive changes from across the c-store industry, but it delivered arguably the single most anticipated leadership appointment so far this year — a new CEO at Maverik.
Here’s more information on that move, in addition to several other top-level changes. And here’s our executive roundup from June, in case you missed it.
Crystal Maggelet is in for the long-term at Maverik
On July 30, Maverik named Crystal Maggelet as its permanent CEO and chief adventure guide nearly five months after she assumed the role on an interim basis. Chuck Maggelet, who led the c-store retailer for several years, announced his retirement in March via a video posted to the company’s YouTube page.
Crystal Maggelet has been leading FJ Management, Maverik’s parent company, for over 15 years. She also serves as its board chairman.
She oversaw FJ’s acquisition of Maverik in 2012, and has seen the company evolve into one of the leading c-store and truck stop chains in the Western U.S. over the past decade-plus. While Chuck oversaw Maverik’s acquisition of Kum & Go last year, Crystal is now guiding an integration process that has ruffled consumers’ feathers amid talks of nixing the Kum & Go banner entirely.
Shell’s new head of c-stores takes over
David Bunch, who held several leadership positions with Shell over the past two decades, officially took over as head of the company’s convenience and mobility business earlier in July, a Shell spokesperson confirmed.
Bunch, now executive vice president of Shell Mobility, replaced Istvan Kapitany, who announced his resignation back in April after holding the position for 10 years.
In his LinkedIn bio, Bunch notes that he’s now responsible for managing Shell’s 47,000 global retail fuel sites and c-stores. He also shared that beyond traditional fuel sales and direct and franchised c-store operations, his role also includes overseeing Shell’s electric vehicle charging network and liquefied natural gas production.
Couche-Tard names head of M&A
Alimentation Couche-Tard, parent company of Circle K convenience stores, named Aaron Smorodin as its new head of M&A and business development, a company spokesperson confirmed. Smorodin had helped lead Couche-Tard’s business development team since December 2020, when he became director of North American business development, according to his LinkedIn bio.
Couche-Tard’s spokesperson declined to share specific priorities and plans for Smorodin in his new position, but noted that he’ll be at the forefront of the c-store retailer’s M&A strategy moving forward.
“M&A is a key element in our growth strategy, and Aaron is playing a leading role in identifying and developing opportunities to expand our brand in new and existing markets,” Couche-Tard’s spokesperson said in a statement to C-Store Dive.
EG America taps loyalty and commerce expert
EG America named Whitney Johnson as its vice president of loyalty and digital commerce in early July.
In her role — a newly created position at the company — Johnson fuels growth for the c-store retailer through its digital presence and loyalty programs.
Johnson recently founded Capstone Growth Advisors, a consulting firm focused on the CPG, e-commerce and retail sectors. She also spent three years as general manager of merchandising for grocery delivery company Gopuff, as well as three years as director of merchandising strategy for Murphy USA and nine years with Sunoco.
Delek promotes new EVP
Delek US Holdings promoted Sam Eljaouhari, the company’s senior vice president and chief supply chain officer, to the executive vice president level last month, according to a LinkedIn announcement from Eljaouhari.
Eljaouhari became Delek’s chief supply chain officer when he joined the convenience retailer in December 2019, according to his LinkedIn bio. For the past two years, he also managed Delek’s capital projects and renewable fuels divisions.
Delek recently made headlines when it announced it would be stepping out of the c-store space entirely, selling its stores to Monterrey, Mexico-based FEMSA, parent company of popular Latin American chain Oxxo.
