One major convenience retailer announced the departure of its top financial exec while another launched a search for its first chief information officer. Several companies also welcomed new vice presidents in a variety of departments.
Below are the major moves we covered in August. And, in case you missed it, here’s our executive roundup from July.
7-Eleven names new chief of staff, demand chain leader
7-Eleven named Dave Strachan as vice president and chief of staff to CEO Joseph DePinto and Joshua Dolan as senior vice president of demand chain.
Strachan, who also held the chief of staff role between 2016 and 2021, returned to the post after former chief of staff Kristen Cook resigned at the end of July. He first joined 7-Eleven in 2009 as a business consultant and went on to hold numerous positions over the next decade and a half. His most recent position was SVP of fresh foods, a role he resigned from in October 2024 to attend to family matters.
Dolan joins 7-Eleven from logistics giant GXO Logistics, where he was president of its consumer products division for the Americas and Asia Pacific for nearly two years. Prior to GXO, Dolan spent about four years as SVP of supply chain for healthcare company Cardinal Health. He has also worked in numerous director and VP-level supply chain and logistics roles with Dick’s Sporting Goods, Target and Amazon.
In his new position, Dolan is responsible for “expanding and optimizing 7-Eleven’s enterprise-wide logistics capabilities and improving execution,” according to his company bio.
Arko CFO, foodservice SVP both step down
Robert Giammatteo will step down as CFO of Arko Corp. on Oct. 10.
He joined Arko in January 2024, replacing Don Bassell, who retired after nearly 20 years. Before being named to that position, Giammatteo spent four years as executive vice president, CFO and chief transformation officer for GetGo Cafe + Market, the former c-store arm of grocer Giant Eagle and now a division of Alimentation Couche-Tard.
His career has also included finance roles with fashion retail companies Ascena Retail Group, VF Corporation and Limited Brands, as well as more than four years with General Motors’ OnStar.
Representatives from Arko have not shared succession plans for the role.
Arko also lost Richard Guidry, who left his role as senior vice president of food and beverage at c-store arm GPM Investments. Guidry headed the retailer’s food and beverage department while it developed Fas Craves, its proprietary foodservice program. Before joining GPM, he worked for nearly four years in a variety of roles with Casey’s General Stores. He also spent about 15 years in management and director positions with RaceTrac.
The company promoted Carlos Pinzon from senior director of food franchises and acquisitions to vice president of food service and branded QSR franchises in the wake of Guidry’s departure. Pinzon has been with GPM for nearly 14 years in a variety of leadership and foodservice roles. Prior to joining GPM, he worked for over seven years with The Pantry, a major c-store chain that Alimentation Couche-Tard acquired in 2014.
RaceTrac seeking first CIO
RaceTrac is seeking its first CIO after John Lukas, the company’s VP of information technology, announced he will retire at the end of the year.
Lukas joined RaceTrac in 2020 and has been instrumental in transforming RaceTrac’s store technology infrastructure, revamping its loyalty app and spearheading the IT integration of RaceTrac’s 2023 acquisition of Gulf Oil. Prior to joining RaceTrac, Lukas spent over two decades in senior technology roles with companies such as Wendy’s, Arby’s and Popeyes.
The retailer also promoted Tyler Grubbs to VP of retail and digital technologies. In this position, he will support the new CIO once that person is selected. Grubbs has held numerous roles with RaceTrac in its technology, foodservice, business analytics and special projects divisions over the past 15 years.
Maverik welcomes new VP of retail operations
Maverik named Myles Gift as its next vice president of retail operations. He joins Maverik from Wingstop franchisee GSR Group, where he was VP of operations for nearly three years.
Prior to GSR Group, Gift held high-level operations roles with chain restaurants like Wing Zone, Five Guys Enterprises, Slim Chickens and Captain D’s.
