The convenience-store industry and the people in it continue to evolve, whether it’s new hires, promotions or retirements. Read on for news about retailers, suppliers, associations and more.
Retailers
Joseph Fumo is the new head of digital for Chicago-based bp, according to a post on his LinkedIn page. Fumo joined bp in 2006 and since then has had increasing roles in the company. Fumo most recently served as director of consumer loyalty in the U.S.
- bp is No. 5 on CSP’s 2025 Top 40 Update to the 2024 Top 202 ranking of U.S. c-store chains by store count. Watch for the full 2025 Top 202 ranking in the June issue of CSP magazine and in CSP Daily News.
Gate Petroleum Co., Jacksonville, Florida, has promoted Misty Jackson Skipper to chief strategy officer, a newly created role. In her new role, Skipper will oversee the development and execution of strategies across the company’s multiple business divisions, ensuring sustainable growth and profitability, operational efficiency and competitive positioning, the company said.
Misty Jackson Skipper |Photograph courtesy of Gate Petroleum
Prior to her new role, Skipper was vice president overseeing marketing, external affairs and merchandising. The company also promoted John Cockerham to senior vice president of operations and merchandising. He previously held the position of vice president of operations.
- Gate Petroleum Co. is No. 101on CSP’s 2024 Top 202 ranking of convenience-store chains by store count.
Jason Cooper is the new senior director of fresh food and dispensed beverage at Westborough, Massachusetts-based EG America, he announced on LinkedIn. Before joining the convenience-store chain, Cooper was head of food and beverage at Global Partners since June 2017, according to his LinkedIn page.
- EG is No. 6 on CSP’s 2025 Top 40 Update to the 2024 Top 202 ranking of U.S. c-store chains by store count. Watch for the full 2025 Top 202 ranking in the June issue of CSP magazine and in CSP Daily News.
Ryan Krebs is the new senior director of food and beverage at Ridgeland, Mississippi-based Sprint Mart, according to his LinkedIn page. Krebs comes to Sprint Mart from Savannah, Georgia-based Enmarket, where he worked as director of food and beverage since January 2020. Prior to Enmarket, Krebs worked for more than six years at York, Pennsylvania-based Rutter’s. When he departed, he was the director of foodservice.
Kimberly James has joined Amazon, Seattle, to lead the U.S. convenience categories for its cashierless Amazon Go convenience stores, according to a post on her LinkedIn page. The former vice president of merchandising for Chicago-based bp posted on LinkedIn that she is thankful to the recruiting team and to company leaders who have welcomed her. An industry veteran, James has held various positions in the merchandising, product and marketing space, as well as operations.
Suppliers and Services
Zach Duesler |Photograph courtesy of Food Concepts Inc
Food Concepts Inc. (FCI), a designer and builder of branded merchandisers and store decor elements for the convenience-store industry, has named Zach Duesler as its new president, following the retirement announcement of Tom Bush. Prior to his new position, Duesler was FCI’s director of design and architectural services. Bush will retire March 1, after 11 years of leadership at FCI.
David Brinkley is the new vice president of sales, at tobacco company Cheyenne International, Grover, North Carolina. Brinkley succeeds Ernie Teague, who retired after a long and successful tenure at Cheyenne, the company said. With 12 years of experience in the tobacco industry, Brinkley has everything it takes to command the helm and position Cheyenne for growth well into the future, CEO David Scott said in a statement.
Darren Boyd Schulte has been named interim CEO of the National Association of Truck Stop Operators (NATSO), as the group’s board of directors finds a permanent CEO. Overseeing all business operations for the association, Schulte follows Lisa Mullings, who served as CEO for 20 years before announcing plans to step down and pursue other opportunities, the group said. Schulte joined NATSO in 2012 as vice president of membership.
Greg Tornberg has been named the new director of food services at Par Pacific Holdings, Houston, according to his LinkedIn page. Prior to his new position, Tornberg was a principal consultant for Impact 21, a W. Capra Co., Lexington, Kentucky. An industry veteran, Tornberg previous held positions with numerous convenience-store retailers, including Irving, Texas-based 7-Eleven.
Farmer Brothers Co., Fort Worth, Texas, named Brian Miller vice president of sales. Tom Bauer, who has previously served as vice president and chief commercial officer of the national coffee roaster, wholesaler, equipment servicer and distributor of coffee, tea and culinary products, will now serve as vice president and chief field operations officer where he will lead the company’s direct-store delivery (DSD), logistics, planning and procurement operations. Prior to his new position, Miller served as a vice president at apparel company Custom Ink.
Michele Buck|Photograph courtesy of the Hershey Co.
The Hershey Co., Hershey, Pennsylvania, has announced that Michele Buck will be retiring from her positions as president and CEO effective June 30, 2026. The chocolate maker said Buck intends to serve in her existing roles until her successor is appointed, at which time she plans to resign from the board and transition to a senior advisor role until her retirement. The chocolate maker also appointed two new executive leaders, Andrew Archambault and Veronica Villasenor. Archambault has been named president of U.S. confection for the chocolate maker. He will oversee a portfolio of brands, including Hershey's, Reese's and Jolly Rancher. Villasenor, who is a Hershey veteran of 22 years and previously served as vice president of salty snacks, has been promoted to president of salty snacks. She succeeds Kristen Riggs, who is leaving Hershey after 20 years to pursue other opportunities, the company said.
The Campbell’s Co., Camden, New Jersey, has named Risa Cretella executive vice president and president, meals and beverages. Cretella will report to chief executive officer Mick Beekhuizen. In her new role, she will lead a portfolio of brands, including Campbell’s, Chunky, Pace, Pacific Foods, Prego, Rao’s, Swanson and V8 across soup, simple meals and beverages in retail and foodservice in North America.
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