Maine Motor Transportation Association’s Driver of the Month – November 2022 – Austin VanAvery!

Congratulations to Austin VanAvery of our Transportation Division for being Driver of the Month for November 2022.

January 13, 2023 – MMTA: Each year, we recognize trucking companies and drivers for their commitment to highway safety with an evening of awards. This year’s Annual Banquet was held last night at the Sheraton Sable Oaks with almost 500 in attendance.
Below are the Driver of the Year and Grand Champion Fleet Safety Award winners.

MMTA: Congratulations to the winners and we thank you for supporting highway safety and the trucking industry in Maine! 2022 Drivers of the Month were an impressive bunch that have accumulated 285 years of combined driving and over 19 million safe miles during that time. They are to be congratulated yet again for leading the way in safety on our highways.

Austin, we appreciate YOU! Well Done! ?

Join our Territory Management Team

Territory Manager – Wholesale Division

Job Description

Founded in 1948, C.N. Brown Company is a Maine based family owned company that owns and operates 73 convenience stores, 26 heating oil offices and 11 service stations, delivering petroleum products into Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont and Northern Massachusetts.

The Territory Manager will be responsible for managing their assigned territory, maintaining and growing their existing book of business for wholesale commercial Gasoline, Oil & LP accounts, and real estate leases. If you are competitive, motivated, a team player, and capable of building long-term mutually beneficial business relationships based on trust and confidence, we are excited to talk with you.

Responsibilities:

  • Assess the strengths, weaknesses, and market conditions of your territory and manage sales programs accordingly
  • Monitor the programs on accounts across your territory and pinpoint ways to meet current customer needs and penetrate new markets
  • Provide on-the-ground support, follow-up, training, and management for your accounts, current deals, close new deals, and problem solve
  • Meet with existing customers to discuss their evolving needs and to assess the quality of our company’s relationship with them
  • Meet with former customers and new prospects to create opportunities to grow your book of business
  • Develop and implement sales initiatives, strategies, processes and tactics, and programs to maintain and capture key demographics in your territory
  • Update any contracts and lease agreements 
  • Prospect new leads and close sales via cold calling

Skills: 

  • Petroleum Market knowledge 
  • 5+ years of wholesale or distribution experience
  • 5+ years in leadership sales position
  • 5 + years of cold calling sales experience
  • Strong computer skills required (Excel, Word and Outlook)
  • Able to work as a team as well as individually ? Excellent negotiation skills
  • Excellent communications skills, both oral and written
  • Strong decision-making abilities
  • Able to travel when necessary
  • Contract & Lease knowledge

Benefits:

  • Salary up to $60k depending on experience
  • Bonus program
  • Company car
  • Cell phone & laptop
  • Dynamic Culture Plus many other benefits such as Company Outings, Team Building events, etc.

Job Type: Full-time

Schedule:

  • Monday to Friday

Benefits:

  • Dental Insurance
  • Health Insurance
  • Life Insurance
  • Short Term disability
  • Long Term Disability
  • Company Match 401K
  • Vacation Time

Experience/Education 

  • High School diploma required 
  • Distribution- 5 years (Preferred)
  • Petroleum Market knowledge (Preferred)
  • Sales Team Leadership- 5 years (Preferred)

C.N. Brown is an equal opportunity employer

Wage Salary up to $60k

APPLY ONLINE: https://nowhiring.com/cnbrown/job-details/790366753

CN Brown Company’s Employee Spotlight – December 2022 – Karla Blackman!

Enjoy what Karla shared about her journey with CN Brown Company:

Q. How did your career progress at CN Brown Company? 

 I started with CN Brown in 2013 as a manager in Canton.  After being there for a year I moved to be the manager of our Mexico location and started as a Marketing Manager Trainee.  After managing Mexico for a year I took over as the new Marketing Manager for the Western Maine district. 

Over the course of the next few years I became the new Territory Manger in 2 other territories, Augusta/Bath Area and later Lewiston/Auburn are.

In 2021 I took a new position as a Category Manager and also work on store resets with the retail services team from CoreMark.

 Q. What’s the best part of your current job?

Working in my new field of Category Manager is fantastic.  I get to meet new people (brokers, manufacturers, vendors, retail services, etc.) I work with a lot of great people in category management as well as pricebook, Coremark, inventory and internal staff.  I did not work as closely with many of them in my prior positions.

Q. What’s the most challenging part of your job?

 I feel that training with Mike Doucette before he left was very beneficial and helped me with many of the challenges I could have faced but did not. I think the thing that challenges me the most would be remembering all the new names and items sold by each of them.


Q. What’s your favorite memory from working at CN Brown Company?

The thing that stands out in my mind was when I was told by my Marketing Manager that she wanted me to be a trainee for her.  I thought she was out of her mind…but I decided to give it a shot and see if I could do it. 

 
Q. Why would you recommend working for CN Brown Company?

In fact just told my daughter that working with CN Brown can be a great opportunity.  Many positions can offer flexibility for you and your family. Also you can build wonderful relationships with the people you work with.

CN Brown Company’s Employee Spotlight – November 2022 – Cara Kimball!

Enjoy what Cara shared about her journey with CN Brown Company:

Q. How did your career progress at CN Brown Company?

I was hired into the Customer Service Department in November 2012. In June 2016, I transitioned to my current position, Advertising Coordinator / Social Media Management.

 Q. What’s the best part of your current job?

It’s a fun position!  I enjoy communicating with our customers on Facebook, our website, and through store visits. I work with a handful of wonderful vendors on advertising/marketing projects.

Q. What’s the most challenging part of your job?

Traveling to the locations that are located hours from the corporate office.

Q. What’s your favorite memory from working at CN Brown Company?

Going to the NACS (National Association of Convenience Stores) Tradeshow in Atlanta, GA, in 2016.  What an awesome opportunity and experience that was!

There is a list of awesome memories- vendor tradeshows, golf tournaments, internal holiday events, wellness committee events, etc. There is a lot of creative energy in the office, and we have fun!

 
Q. Why would you recommend working for CN Brown Company?

Strong leadership team with years of longevity & loyalty.

The company promotes from within whenever possible.

Work / Personal Life Balance Values – Family First.

I encourage anyone seeking a career in retail OR truck driving to apply today: https://nowhiring.com/bigapple/  or https://nowhiring.com/cnbrown/

Convenience Store News Names 2022 Top Women in Convenience. Congratulations, Brandi Cushman!

October 2, 2022 – All of this year’s honorees were celebrated at the awards gala in Las Vegas, against the backdrop of the 2022 NACS Show. The 2022 TWIC class is comprised of five Women of the Year, 36 Senior-Level Leaders, 40 Rising Stars and 10 Mentors. 

The winners were chosen based on nominations received from their peers. Drawing from achievements during the previous 12 months, nominators were asked to illustrate the candidate’s innovative corporate initiatives, extraordinary financial and strategic accomplishments, astute problem-solving acumen, exceptional performance, mentorship work and its outcome for mentees, and selfless charitable participation, along with any other attributes that go above and beyond the call of duty.

Congratulations to our Senior-Level Leader, Brandi Cushman, Director of Purchasing.

WOMEN OF THE YEAR

Recognized for having an exceptional impact on the success or direction of their company, as well as a positive impact on the convenience store industry as a whole.

  • Holly Angell, Senior Vice President of Construction, Engineering & Facilities, 7-Eleven Inc.
  • Allison Cornish, Vice President of Store Modernization, Pilot Co.
  • Danielle Holloway, Senior Director of Industry Engagement, Altria Group Distribution Co.
  • Julie Jackson, President, G&M Oil Co.
  • Colette Matthews, Global Vice President of Customer Experience, Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc./Circle K

SENIOR-LEVEL LEADERS

Retailer, supplier and wholesaler executives at the level of director or vice president and above who work with the c-store channel of trade and who have executed on a strategy and transformed their business in a positive manner.

  • Annie Alabaugh, Division Vice President, Casey’s General Stores Inc.
  • Gwen Andrews, Director — US Convenience, Northeast, The Hershey Co.
  • Trish Bay, Senior Director, Trade Marketing, Phoenix Region, Reynolds Marketing Services Co.
  • Elizabeth Benson, Director of Innovation & Process Improvement, Maverik —  Adventure’s First Stop 
  • Marla Benson, Senior Channel Operations Manager, Mars Wrigley
  • Sandie Bower, Director of Operations, 7-Eleven Inc.
  • Capri Brixey, Vice President, Customer Leadership, The Coca-Cola Co.
  • Brigid Brown, Director of Financial Reporting & Services, Thorntons LLC 
  • Chelsea Carvalho, Senior District Manager, Beck Suppliers
  • Gina Clemente, Senior Director, Operations Services & Transformation, GetGo Café & Market
  • Brandi Cushman, Director of Purchasing, C.N. Brown Co.
  • Magda Delattre, Senior Manager of Insights & Analytics, Sheetz Inc. 
  • Sherryn Diamond, Director of Foodservice, High’s
  • Melanie Disney, Director of Human Resources, Weigel’s Stores Inc.
  • Kristina Fisher, Restaurant Division Director, Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc./Circle K
  • Jessica Flaten, Director of Marketing, ITG Brands
  • Sherri Fleming-Ramler, Senior Director of Sales & Operations, Midwest Region, Murphy USA Inc.
  • Sri Gouri, Director of Commercial Sales Insights, PepsiCo Inc. 
  • Carey Haubenschild, Senior Marketing Manager, Convenience, Boston Beer Co.
  • Angelica Krott, Vice President of Technology, StrasGlobal
  • Ali Marciano, Senior Vice President, Human Resources, Core-Mark International
  • Sheila Merrigan, Senior Director of Regional Operations, Alpine Region, Maverik —  Adventure’s First Stop 
  • Kendra Meyer, Vice President, Real Estate, Casey’s General Stores Inc.
  • Jamie Miller, Executive Director of Marketing, RaceTrac Inc. 
  • Kristine Modugno, Director of Category Management, Nouria Energy
  • Barbara Nova, Senior Director — Food, Beverage & Retail Programs, Dash In Food Stores
  • Jackie Palmer, Division President, McLane Mid-Atlantic, McLane Co. Inc. 
  • Suzy Peel, Head of Real Estate, Western U.S., Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc./Circle K
  • Rachel Pickett, Assistant General Counsel, Murphy USA Inc.
  • Kimberly Ross, West Area Vice President, ITG Brands
  • Vareesha Shariff, Product Director, Fresh Foods, 7-Eleven Inc.
  • Misty Skipper, Vice President of Merchandising, Marketing & External Affairs, GATE Petroleum
  • Jean Terminiello, Senior Director, Americas — Convenience & Away From Home, Glanbia Performance Nutrition
  • Michele Truelove, Vice President of Operations, High’s
  • Paula Weeks, Director of Industry Affairs, The Coca-Cola Co.
  • Jessica Wright, Senior Director, Experiential Marketing, Reynolds American Inc.

RISING STARS

Women with job titles from store manager to just below vice president who are making their mark on the c-store industry even in the early stages of their careers. 

  • Katerina Bakunina, Senior Manager, Strategic Accounts, PDI
  • Michelle Barnett, Retail Zone Leader, Kwik Trip Inc. 
  • Megan Binkley, Store Manager, Rutter’s
  • Katie Bondy, Senior National Account Manager, McLane Co. Inc.
  • Stephanie Bruns, Senior Commercial Marketing Manager, Heineken USA
  • Julie Burke, District Manager, Casey’s General Stores Inc.
  • Mckenzie Coleman, Senior Manager of Retail Solutions & E-commerce, RaceTrac Inc.
  • Maria Esquer, Division Manager, Alta Convenience
  • Elaine Jacobs, Senior Store Leader, GetGo Café & Market
  • Erin Kohne, Director, Global Military Sales, Anheuser-Busch
  • Toral Kothari, Senior Director of Sales, PBNA, PepsiCo Inc.
  • Sarah Kovac, Director of Architecture & Engineering, Maverik — Adventure’s First Stop
  • Kelsey Leighton, Central Operations Specialist, GetGo Café & Market
  • Jennifer Lestochi, Prepared Foods Category Leader, Sheetz Inc.
  • Kim Lippert, Director, Acquisition Integration, Casey’s General Stores Inc.
  • Sara Martindale, Sales Director, PBNA, PepsiCo Inc.
  • Erin Matosziuk, Director of Talent Development, Sheetz Inc.
  • Melody McCarthy, Marketing Manager, Enmarket
  • Caylin McCombs,National Accounts Director, ITG Brands
  • Alexandra McGuire, Senior Account Manager, Altria Group Distribution Co.
  • Erica Murray, Director of Operations Programs, Technology & Planning, Thorntons LLC
  • Ann Myint, Category Specialist, ExtraMile Convenience Stores
  • Kellye Ogle, Director, Procurement, Murphy USA Inc.
  • Karylann Oxley, COCO Business Consultant, Chevron USA Inc.
  • Dea Pennington, Senior Manager, External Communications, 7-Eleven Inc.
  • Kelly Rand, Director, IT Strategy & Change Management, Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc./Circle K
  • Ashley Ray, Senior Director, People Support, Maverik — Adventure’s First Stop
  • Jenny Rinehart, Director of Digital Marketing & Personalization, Casey’s General Stores Inc.
  • Julie Rodgers, Marketing Director, Gulf Coast Business Unit, Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc./Circle K
  • Megan Sandlin, Senior Manager, Customer Planning & Development, Tyson Foods
  • Julie Seefus, Hy-Vee Fast & Fresh Supervisor, Hy-Vee Inc.
  • Gina Sorensen, IT Service Desk Manager, Yesway
  • April Stanford, Director of Convenience Sales, General Mills
  • Jessica Starnes, Category Manager, Tobacco & Loyalty, Weigel’s Stores Inc.
  • Jasmine Struble, Category Manager, Dispensed Beverages, Yesway
  • Sandra Sydlik, Product Marketing Manager, Stuzo
  • Kristen Turner, Senior National Account Manager, PFNA, PepsiCo Inc.
  • Tavay Watson, Fresh Food Support Coordinator, Thorntons LLC 
  • Renee Williams, Customer Development Director, Coca-Cola Consolidated Inc.
  • Elaine Yee, Director, Consumer & Market Intelligence, ITG Brands

MENTORS

Women who have made an extraordinary effort, and had an extraordinary impact, on the careers of their colleagues.

  • Nancy Andrus, Division Director of Sales & Operations, Murphy USA Inc.
  • Anne Cauthron, Director, Learning & Development, Murphy USA Inc. 
  • Karin Dahl, Director of Solutions Delivery, Maverik — Adventure’s First Stop
  • Letty George, Director, Global Communications, Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc./Circle K
  • Jessica Hendrickson, Vice President — Sales Infrastructure & Trade Marketing, Altria Group Distribution Co.
  • Lisa Klamer, Executive Store Leader, GetGo Café & Market
  • Jami McDermid, President, Sales Agency, CROSSMARK
  • Angela Pimental, Executive Director of Environmental & Licensing, RaceTrac Inc.
  • Stephanie Simon, Business Development Manager, Swedish Match
  • Vanessa Turner, Executive Team Leader, GetGo Café & Market

Brandi was recognized as a Rising Star, at the NACS Conference in October, 2016. Well done – well deserved, Brandi! Congratulations!!

CN Brown Company’s Employee Spotlight – October 2022 – Lori Hemmerdinger!

Enjoy what Lori shared about her journey with CN Brown Company:

Q. How did your career progress at CN Brown Company? 

I started at CN Brown as the Sales Manager in the Electricity Department.   This was a new branch of the company and a unique opportunity in that I have been able to help launch, shape and grow the division.   We have built a book of business based on trust and transparency. Nothing makes be prouder than to receive referrals from existing customers.

 Q. What’s the best part of your current job?

Every day I am able to be a part of a dynamic industry that enjoy.   I also enjoy my co-workers at CN Brown who have become great friends.   We have an energetic team who help and inspire one another.   

Q. What’s the most challenging part of your job?

The ever-changing dynamics in the electricity market can be very challenging.  It is a fast moving market that has many components, which change daily.

Q. What’s your favorite memory from working at CN Brown Company?

I have been able to partake in several company events such the Miracle Ball, golf tournaments, children’s Christmas Party and even whitewater rafting.   All amazing events with co-workers, customers and vendors.

 Q. Why would you recommend working for CN Brown Company?

At my job interview, I was told CN Brown’s philosophy of “Take care of your family and work will fall into place.”  Ten years ago, I was a single Mom to and eight-year-old son and I can honestly say that there has never been a time that I have not been able to be at my son’s events, sports or doctor’s appointments.  For this, I am incredibly grateful.   On a work level, ownership and management are always available to discuss new ideas and daily workflow.  New ideas are met with open minds and eager discussions this encourages the team atmosphere and it is an amazing feeling to have our ides put into play.