Acree Oil Co. President Richard Acree Passes Away
TOCCOA, Ga. -- Acree Oil Co. is mourning the loss of Richard Acree, the company's president and the owner of the Hasty Mart convenience store chain. He was 86.
Acree Oil was founded in 1927 by Acree's father, Robert W. Acree. Upon graduating from the University of Georgia in 1950 with a bachelor's degree in business administration, Richard Acree began working for his family's company, eventually becoming its president.
In addition to this role, he also founded Northeast Waste Control Inc. in the early 1970s and later sold the company to Waste Management Inc., with the proceeds benefiting the University of Georgia.
Richard Acree and his wife Emily Wynne Edwards Acree were among the first recipients of the University of Georgia's Pinnacle Award for generous and continuing donations to the University's Terry College of Business. He retired with emeritus status from the University Foundation board of directors.
Richard Acree was also an active member of his community on both the state and local levels. He served on the State Board of Industry and Trade under Govs. Lester Maddox and Jimmy Carter. Gov. Zell Miller appointed him a member of the Jekyll Island Authority, a position he held for a number of years. He also served as president of the Georgia Oilmen's Association and remained an active member.
In addition, he served his community through the Georgia Army National Guard for 26 years, commanding the Toccoa unit and retiring as a lieutenant colonel.
In March 2008, Acree Oil was recognized as a finalist for the 2008 Georgia Family Business of the Year Award, sponsored by Cox Family Enterprise, Georgia Trend and Kennesaw State University. The company won the award the following year.
Acree Oil is a regional fuel supplier with offices in Athens, Elberton and Toccoa, Ga., as well as in Seneca, S.C. In 2010, the company reached a branded partnership agreement with Gulf Oil LP, as CSNews Online reported.
Hasty Mart convenience stores operate in Georgia and South Carolina.