Alimentation Couche-Tard has appointed Gerardo Valencia Trujillo as senior vice president of North America operations and enablement, a company spokesperson confirmed to C-Store Dive.
In the newly created role, Valencia leads the operations of Circle K’s merchandise supply chain and oversees operational excellence processes and systems for Couche-Tard’s Circle K stores and car wash businesses across North America.
“Gerardo's role reflects a realignment of responsibilities to strengthen execution across markets,” Couche-Tard’s spokesperson said in a statement.
Valencia has been with Couche-Tard since 2018, having served as both vice president of the retailer’s business units in the Midwest and in Texas. Prior to those roles, he was president and CEO of CrossAmerica Partners for nearly two years while the Pennsylvania-based retailer was still under ownership and control of Couche-Tard.
Valencia notably led CrossAmerica through its acquisition of 192 c-stores from Couche-Tard in late 2018, about a year before CrossAmerica’s separation from the Canadian company. Valencia stepped down from his post at CrossAmerica in November 2019 when the retailer split from Couche-Tard, and he was replaced by Charles Nifong, who led CrossAmerica until earlier this year.
Before joining CrossAmerica in early 2018, Valencia spent over 20 years with BP, where he worked multiple roles across the oil company’s retail operations, asset management, business development, national wholesale fuel sales and strategy for different markets around the globe. He was president of BP’s Ampm c-store arm, head of sales and marketing for its West Coast operations and led the retail strategy across North America.
Valencia’s new position is one of several executive changes Couche-Tard has made in recent months. Others have included the promotion of Trey Powell to senior vice president of food and retail for its U.S. business, as well as the hirings of Grant Morris, head of QSRs and made-to-order foodservice for Circle K in the U.S., and Family Dollar alum Dan Larmondra as U.S. head of food merchandising.
