Dive Brief:

• The Wills Group — owner of Dash In Food Stores — has named Julian B. “Blackie” Wills III president and CEO, effective Aug. 1, according to a Tuesday announcement.
• Wills assumes his new role after serving as president and COO of the Wills Group for the past two years. The decision to appoint him was unanimously approved by the company’s board of directors.
• As president and CEO, Wills will lead the convenience retailer’s efforts to evolve its Dash In and Splash In Eco Car Wash brands, with a focus on improving the customer experience.

Dive Insight:

The Wills Group’s latest announcement caps the past two years of growth across several areas of the company, many of which have been spearheaded by Blackie Wills.

Such growth initiatives included leading the developments and expansion of Dash In’s new food-focused store concept in Virginia, the Wills Group’s diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) program and the company’s community engagement programs.

“Blackie’s impact on the company culture, innovation, and the future direction of the business is discernible,” said Lock Wills, executive chairman of the Wills Group. “We value his leadership and are confident he is the right leader at the right time to continue to guide the Wills Group’s growth and expansion.”

Wills joined the company in 2011 as a supply and distribution manager, according to his LinkedIn bio. After a brief period away from Wills Group, he rejoined the company as director of real estate and development in 2013, and held that role until becoming executive vice president in 2018. He took on his most recent role of president and COO in 2021.

“The Wills Group remains committed to reimagining the customer experience across our Dash In and Splash In Eco Car Wash lines of business, informed by innovation and creating an environment where everyone feels welcome,” Wills said in the announcement. “Today’s announcement is a reflection of our collective commitment to invest in each other as we work together to build a great culture, provide rich benefits, and support our purpose — keeping lives in motion.”

La Plata, Maryland-based Wills Group operates nearly 300 retail locations across the Mid-Atlantic region, including Dash In, Splash In Eco Car Wash, and SMO Motor Fuels. The family owned company was founded in 1926.