Alimentation Couche-Tard, the parent company of Circle K convenience stores, has recently appointed Alex Miller as its new President and CEO. Miller, who had been serving as the company’s Chief Operating Officer since January 2023, is now only the third CEO in Couche-Tard’s 45-year history. This leadership transition was officially announced in June, with the previous CEO, Brian Hannasch, moving into a special advisor role. The change had been in the works for the past year and a half and was finalized on September 6.
Miller steps into his new role at Couche-Tard during a period of significant growth for the Canadian company. With recent acquisitions such as the $1.6 billion deal to purchase GetGo Café + Markets from Giant Eagle, Couche-Tard is experiencing a notable expansion in its operations. Additionally, the company made a bid to acquire Seven & i Holdings, the parent company of 7-Eleven, though the offer was rejected. Despite this setback, Couche-Tard remains focused on its growth strategy under Miller’s leadership.
Background of Alex Miller
Miller’s journey at Couche-Tard began in 2012 when he joined the company as the Director of Fuels, Real Estate, and Facilities. During his tenure, Couche-Tard made significant moves in the real estate sector, acquiring 85 c-stores across five U.S. states and purchasing Norwegian retailer Statoil Fuel & Retail for $2.8 billion. Over the next 12 years, Miller climbed the ranks within Couche-Tard, holding various leadership positions such as Vice President of Fuels, Senior VP of Operations and Global Fuels, EVP of Commercial Optimization, and EVP of North America Operations and Global Optimization.
As the COO of Couche-Tard, Miller oversaw operations in North America, Europe, and Asia, including the company’s food program, merchandise procurement, and supply chain activities across these regions. While Couche-Tard has not yet named a replacement for Miller in the COO position, his tenure as COO in fiscal 2024 saw him earn over $4.2 million in total earnings. As he transitions into his new role as CEO, it is anticipated that his salary and potential earnings will see a substantial increase based on the previous CEO’s earnings.
CrossAmerica Stint
One aspect of Miller’s career that is often overlooked is his three-year stint as the Board Chairman of CrossAmerica Partners, a Pennsylvania-based company with around 370 c-stores in the U.S. Following Couche-Tard’s acquisition of CST Brands in 2017, which included CrossAmerica, Miller took on the role of Chairman of CrossAmerica’s board of directors. During his time as Chairman, CrossAmerica experienced significant growth, including signing lease and supply agreements with Applegreen, converting c-stores to the Circle K banner, and acquiring additional stores in Alabama. However, in 2019, Couche-Tard sold its ownership interest in CrossAmerica to Joe Topper, leading to Miller’s departure from the board.
Learning from Big Oil
Before joining Couche-Tard, Miller spent 16 years at BP, where he held various operational, supply, business development, and strategy roles in the U.S. and Europe. His tenure at BP included managing retail operations across different regions in the U.S., working on strategy and planning in London, and focusing on fuel supply value chain optimization and business development in Chicago. Miller’s experience at BP provided him with valuable insights into the oil industry, particularly during BP’s exit from the U.S. convenience store market and subsequent reentry.
Personal Details
Outside of his professional career, Miller resides in Lake Wylie, South Carolina, and holds a Bachelor’s degree in business management from Southern Illinois University. Known legally as Timothy Alexander Miller, he brings a wealth of experience and expertise to his new role as CEO of Couche-Tard.
In Conclusion
As Alex Miller takes the helm as the new CEO of Couche-Tard, the company is poised for continued growth and success under his leadership. With a strong background in the convenience store industry and a proven track record of driving operational excellence, Miller is well-positioned to guide Couche-Tard through its next phase of expansion and development. As he navigates the challenges and opportunities ahead, Miller’s strategic vision and leadership skills will be instrumental in steering Couche-Tard towards continued growth and success in the competitive retail landscape.