NATSO, the trade association for travel plazas and truck stops in the U.S., has confirmed Matt Mildenberger as its chairman of the board, according to an announcement last week.
Mildenberger, who is president and CEO of Mittens Travel Center in Oakley, Kansas, was named chair-elect in 2024. He assumed the chairman role last year following the retirement of Joe Zietlow, industry and trade association manager for Kwik Trip, who held the role since early 2024.
Mildenberger has spent 15 years leading Mittens, during which he took the single-location travel center from a $20 million to an $80 million operation, according to his bio on NATSO’s website.
"The travel center industry is changing faster than ever, driven by an increasingly competitive landscape, evolving regulations and changing customer demands," said Mildenberger in the announcement. “I look forward to leading NATSO through the current industry transition while strengthening the culture of innovation necessary to ensure our industry's long-term profitability and success."
The organization also named Raina Shoemaker Fromm, co-owner of Shoemaker's Travel Center and past chair of NATSO's Government Affairs Committee, as chair-elect, meaning she will eventually succeed Mildenberger.
NATSO’s officer roles are updated every year, but the board can approve a chairman for a second term, and had done so with Zietlow.
"I look forward to working with Matt, who is widely recognized as a prominent voice of the independent fuel retailing locations," said NATSO President and CEO Max McBrayer.
Other additions to the board include Jason Nordin, CEO of Travel Centers of America, as chain director; Kris Roach, president and CEO of LV Petroleum, as an at-large director; and Chris Heinz, director of operations and finance for Heinz Inc. and Coffee Cup Fuel Stops & Convenience Stores, as an independent director.
