Last month brought several executive changes from around the convenience store industry, from leaders in foodservice and supply chain to new retail media hires. However, an announcement detailing a CEO change at one of the largest — and currently most discussed — convenience retailers in the U.S. stole the spotlight.
Here’s more information on that announcement, as well as a handful of other notable c-store executive shifts that occurred last month.
And here’s our executive roundup from February, in case you missed it.
Maggelet moving on from Maverik
On March 8, Chuck Maggelet, who has been CEO of Maverik since 2016, announced that he will be retiring, effective May 1. His announcement was made in a since-removed video posted to Maverik’s YouTube channel.
Maggelet oversaw Maverik’s acquisition of Kum & Go, a move that doubled the adventure-themed convenience retailer’s footprint when it closed in August. He said the decision to step down from his post “was a truly challenging” one, and that he’s focused on finding more balance moving forward.
When he departs, Crystal Maggelet, chairman and CEO of Maverik’s parent company, FJ Management, will step into the CEO role temporarily while Maverik begins a “rigorous and robust” search for a full-time replacement, she said in the announcement.
Wawa brings in new supply chain lead
Wawa named Nelson Griffin as its new chief supply chain officer, according to a LinkedIn announcement from Griffin. He joined Wawa after spending the past year and a half as senior vice president of strategic sourcing for Independent Purchasing Cooperative, a purchasing and services cooperative for Subway franchisees in the U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Before IPC, Griffin spent over eight years with Red Lobster, where he was executive vice president, chief procurement and real estate officer. While with the restaurant chain, Griffin led all supply chain related activities, which incorporated over $900 million of food, beverages, kitchen equipment, product distribution and travel services for the company’s 700-plus locations around the globe.
7-Eleven taps Wendy’s, McDonald’s veteran as new SVP
7-Eleven named William Armstrong as its new senior vice president of restaurant operations, a company spokesperson confirmed last month.
Armstrong, who previously held several leadership positions with Focus Brands, Wendy’s and McDonald’s, is responsible for leading the “ongoing profitable growth” of 7-Eleven’s restaurant business, according to his company bio. He reports to Doug Rosencrans, 7-Eleven’s executive vice president and chief operating officer.
7-Eleven’s restaurant arm includes hundreds of Laredo Taco Company locations across 14 states and the District of Columbia, and about 60 Raise the Roost Chicken & Biscuits restaurants across 11 states.
Retail media growth at Hy-Vee
Hy-Vee announced the appointment of two new executives to its in-house retail media arm, RedMedia: Kathryn Mazza, who is senior vice president; and Britt Polihronis, who is vice president of operations. These appointments came about six months after Hy-Vee debuted its retail media network.
Mazza leads RedMedia’s day-to-day operations. She joined Hy-Vee after working for Dick’s Sporting Goods for nearly 19 years. Most recently, she served as the sports and apparel retailer’s vice president of media and helped launch Dick’s retail media network.
Polihronis joined Hy-Vee after serving as senior director of digital strategy for Dentsu’s New Stream Media. As Hy-Vee’s vice president of operations for RedMedia, Polihronis plays a role in “translating media-led strategies into actionable insights” for the company’s retail media clients, per the announcement.
High’s longtime SVP departs
Brad Chivington, who had been senior vice president of retail for High’s of Baltimore for seven years, confirmed that he’s no longer with the convenience retailer as of March 4.
“I am aggressively pursuing my next opportunity in the industry to utilize my skills and experience,” Chivington said in a statement.
Chivington has several decades of experience in the c-store industry. Notable roles before joining High’’s include 11 years as vice president of marketing with Turkey Hill — which has since been acquired by EG America — and six years as senior vice president of sales and marketing for GPM Investments, the c-store arm of Arko Corp..
Hartman expands leadership with Rutter’s
Rutter’s Holdings’ real estate arm, M&G Realty, named Chris Hartman as its new president. Hartman is also continuing his duties as Rutter’s vice president of fuels, advertising and development, a role he’s held since December 2022.
Aside from a five-year stint with brand consultancy Crossmark, Hartman has spent his entire professional career with Rutter’s. Since returning from Crossmark in 2018, he’s held several positions with the c-store retailer, including director of fuels, forecourt, advertising and construction.
M&G Realty focuses on acquiring and developing new c-store properties for Rutter’s. Its role has come into focus over the past year as Rutter’s revealed plans in early 2023 to add 50 stores to its network over the next half decade.
