Dive Brief:

• Travel center giant Pilot Co. has named Adam Wright and Joe Lillo as its new CEO and CFO, respectively, effective May 30, according to a Monday announcement.
• Wright and Lillo will succeed current CEO Shameek Konar and CFO Kevin Wills, who “will be leaving their respective positions after supporting the transition,” according to the announcement. Pilot did not specify whether Konar and Wills are moving into new roles or leaving the company altogether.
• Pilot’s executive restructuring comes as the company continues its New Horizons initiative, a chainwide update that includes major investments in store remodels, electric vehicle charging, expanded kitchens and more.

Dive Insight:

After Berkshire Hathaway became Pilot’s majority owner in January, the holding company identified Wright and Lillo — longtime Berkshire Hathaway executives — to take over Pilot’s CEO and CFO roles, according to the announcement.

Since joining Berkshire Hathaway in 1996, Wright has served in various executive management roles in the energy sector, including chief operating officer and executive vice president of Pacific Gas and Electric Co. since 2021. 

Prior to that, Wright held numerous executive positions with MidAmerican Energy Co., including president and CEO; vice president of gas delivery; and vice president of wind generation and development. He also spent nearly a decade with Northern Natural Gas, holding a number of positions, including vice president of marketing.

“Adam’s energy expertise, leadership and focus on customer satisfaction will help ensure Pilot Company remains a pillar of North America’s transportation ecosystem for decades to come,” Greg Abel, vice chair, non-insurance operations for Berkshire Hathaway, said in the announcement.

Lillo, who’s been with Berkshire Hathaway for more than 25 years, has decades of experience in enhancing financial controls and managing risk. Until now, Lillo has been vice president of finance for Northern Natural Gas — where he also worked with Wright — and previously was vice president and controller for MidAmerican Energy Co. 

“I am confident Adam and Joe have a solid platform from which to propel the company forward,” Abel said in the announcement.

Knoxville, Tennessee-based Pilot operates more than 750 c-stores and travel centers in 44 U.S. states. The company is the largest travel-center chain in the country by location count.