Stephen G. “Steve” Sheetz, former president, CEO, and chairman of Pennsylvania-based Sheetz, died on Jan. 4 at the age of 77, according to a company announcement.
“Steve’s guidance shaped nearly every aspect of our family business,” Chairman Joe Sheetz said in the announcement. “He was a mentor for every leader who has followed him and his vision, wisdom, and entrepreneurial spirit will be missed deeply by everyone at Sheetz.”
Steve Sheetz began working part-time at Sheetz Kwik Shopper, the store his brother Bob Sheetz founded, when he was 12 years old, and returned to the company in 1969 after graduating from Penn State. He started as supervisor and director of operations for the company’s then four stores, and helped grow Sheetz to more than 100 locations by 1983.
Steve Sheetz took over as president and CEO after founder Bob Sheetz retired, according to the announcement. In more than a decade at the top of the company, he oversaw the creation of the retailer’s made-to-order foodservice program, the addition of fuel to Sheetz’s stores and the introduction of touchscreen ordering.
He turned the reins over to Bob’s son Stan Sheetz in 1995 and transitioned to chairman, a role he held until 2013. He then took over as chairman of CLI Transport, Sheetz’s fuel transport arm, until his retirement as an executive in 2020. He continued to serve as the chairman of Sheetz’s Family Committee until his passing.
