Atlas Oil Names New EVP of Retail Operations

TAYLOR, Mich. -- James Fiene, former COO of Open Pantry Food Marts of Wisconsin Inc., is joining Atlas Oil Co. as its new executive vice president of retail operations. In his new role, Fiene will be responsible for retail sales and operations for Atlas' nearly 400 sites in Michigan, Indiana, Illinois and Ohio.

 He will report to Atlas Oil CEO Sam Simon and join the company's senior leadership team.

 "Jim is a strong addition to our leadership team at Atlas," Simon said. "He brings more than 30 years of experience and success in the retail sector where he learned from the ground up. His leadership and skills will be instrumental to our company's retail growth."

Fiene served as Open Pantry's COO since 2003. During his time there, he transformed the chain from a convenience store to an upscale convenience market by recognizing the growing consumer desire for quality food and offerings. Last month, Open Pantry divested 19 locations to 7-Eleven Inc. The deal leaves the company with eight core locations in southeast Wisconsin.

"I am truly excited about this new opportunity to help Atlas Oil grow its retail business," Fiene said. "My passion for this industry is driven by a need to reinvent our industry offerings and, most importantly, serve our customers by developing our store team members every day."

Fiene began his career in the convenience store industry at SuperAmerica in 1981 as a store associate. After four years, he joined Thornton Oil Co. in Louisville, Ky., as a regional manager. There, he provided leadership for 17-plus years and worked his way through the company, ultimately serving as vice president of retail sales.

During his tenure at Thornton, he was part of the team that doubled the size of the organization from 80 stores to more than 160 and $1 billion in sales through a strategy of organic and acquisition growth.

Fiene received a bachelor degree in Business Leadership from Judson University in Chicago. He serves on many industry boards and is a member of multiple associations including the NACS Show Committee and the retail advisory boards of Kraft Foods, Mars Foods and U.S. Tobacco.

He and his family currently reside in Milwaukee, but will relocate to Michigan.