WOOLWICH TWP. — Wawa executive and former CEO Howard B. Stoeckel visited students in Kingsway Regional High School’s Business Leadership Academy on the Dec. 17.
Stoeckel made several presentations, signed a few books and interacted with students, faculty and administration. During several presentations to curious and eager students, Stoeckel stressed the importance of company culture and shared how culture drives up the customer relationship ladder. Stoeckel said, “We aim to win the hearts of our customers.”
Afterward, senior BLA students joined Stoeckel for lunch, presented their own strategic plan and ideas for Wawa, and engaged in a deeper discussion about products, services and competition.
Stoeckel, a 1967 graduate of Rider College (Now Rider University), joined Wawa, Inc. in 1987 as Vice President of Human Resources and was promoted to positions of increasing responsibility, including Senior Vice President of Marketing and Executive Vice President and Chief Retail Officer. For eight years, Stoeckel served as Wawa’s President and CEO, and is currently serving as Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors for Wawa, Inc. Stoeckel also contributes to the Rider community as a member of the Board of Trustees and our first CDLS Fellow.
Stoeckel authored The Wawa Way: How a Funny Name and Six Core Values Revolutionized Convenience. His first book explains where the business name came from, the history of the chain, and plans for the future.
Stoeckel delivered the keynote address “Staying True to Our Brand” at the Baiada Center Entrepreneurship Conference “From Blues to Prosperity.” Mr. Stoeckel says he believes that Wawa is still successful today because it has stayed true to its brand and is still focused on the original values and beliefs on which it was founded.
