Tanja Gassenmaier on 2023 “Top Women in Convenience” List
SAVANNAH, Ga. (June 8, 2023) – Parker’s – a nationally acclaimed convenience store company and food service leader – is delighted to announce that Regional Manager Tanja Gassenmaier has been named to the 2023 “Top Women in Convenience” list by industry-leading publication Convenience Store News. Gassenmaier is part of an elite group of 87 female industry professionals who will be honored at the 2023 National Association of Convenience Stores show on Oct. 4 in Atlanta.
Gassenmaier is a member of the landmark 10th annual class of Top Women in Convenience, the first and only convenience store industry awards program that recognizes women making outstanding contributions to their companies and to the industry. The honorees are divided into four categories: Rising Stars, Mentors, Senior Level Leaders and Women of the Year.
After reviewing all of the nominations submitted, Gassenmaier was chosen as one of seven professionals honored in the Mentors category, which recognizes women who have had an extraordinary impact on the careers of their colleagues. This honor marks the second time Gassenmaier has been recognized as one of the Top Women in Convenience. She was named to the program’s inaugural class of Rising Stars in 2014.
“Tanja is a total rock star who inspires store managers and other team members to reach their full potential as professionals,” said Parker’s founder and CEO Greg Parker. “She understands that the single most important asset we have at Parker’s is our people. Tanja is the perfect example of a people-first leader, which is why our team members continue to look to her for mentorship and guidance.”
As a Regional Manager, Gassenmaier is responsible for the operational performance and talent cultivation of five districts and 40 locations throughout Georgia and South Carolina. Gassenmaier originally joined Parker’s in 1999 and has risen in the ranks from a store manager and district leader to the company’s first-ever regional manager.
“I’m truly honored to be included in such an elite national group of women who are transforming the convenience store industry,” said Gassenmaier. “I was fortunate to have a female mentor when I entered the industry more than two decades ago, and hope to pay it forward by sharing my experiences and supporting the next generation of leaders.”
Headquartered in Savannah, Ga., Parker’s stands apart as one of America’s most respected convenience store brands and has enjoyed steady 20 to 24 percent annual growth every year for the past 25 years. In 2020, Parker’s was named the Convenience Store Chain of the Year by Convenience Store Decisions, which is the industry’s highest honor. The company has been honored by Food and Wine as one of America’s Best Convenience Stores and by Convenience Store News as the Convenience Foodservice Leader of the Year.
Parker’s gives back to support every community where stores are located through the company’s Fueling the Community program and the Parker’s Community Fund. Since January 2021, Parker’s has donated more than $22 million to the Parker’s Community Fund to support charitable initiatives throughout the company’s corporate footprint in coastal Georgia and South Carolina. The company has also donated more than $11 million to support education across the region.
Since its founding in 1976, Parker’s has grown to become an award-winning company that was recently voted America’s #4 gas station brand by USA TODAY readers. The Parker’s Rewards loyalty program, which includes more than 300,000 members, has saved customers more than $15 million to date. Parker’s employs more than 1,200 professionals throughout Georgia and South Carolina and completes more than 125,000 transactions daily.
ABOUT PARKER’S:
Honored as the 2020 Convenience Store Decisions Chain of the Year, Parker’s is strategically redefining the nation’s convenience store industry, offering customers high-quality products, freshly prepared food and superior customer service at retail stores throughout southeast Georgia and South Carolina. Proudly headquartered in Savannah, Ga., Parker’s has a commitment to exceeding customer expectations and has repeatedly been recognized as one of the nation’s leading convenience store and foodservice companies. Parker’s Kitchen, the popular food-centric brand under the Parker’s umbrella, serves world-famous hand-breaded Southern Fried Chicken Tenders as well as made-from-scratch mac ‘n’ cheese, a breakfast bar and daily specials. The company’s popular Parker’s Rewards loyalty program, which includes more than 300,000 members, has saved Parker’s customers more than $15 million to date. Learn more: www.parkerskitchen.com.
RECENT AWARDS AND ACCOLADES:
● Inc. 5000 List – Fastest Growing Companies in America – Inc. Magazine
● Hall of Fame Inductee – Convenience Store News
● Best Gas Station for Food Top 10 – USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards
● Best Gas Station Brand Top 10 – USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards
● Convenience Store Chain of the Year – Convenience Store Decisions
● Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Award
● Legacy Leader – Georgia Trend
● America’s Best Convenience Stores – Food and Wine
● Southeast Retailer of the Year – The Shelby Report
● Convenience Foodservice Leader of the Year – Convenience Store News
● Top 10 U.S. Gas Station Brands – Gas Buddy
● 50 Most Influential People in Convenience Store History – Convenience Store News
● Best Convenience Store – Savannah Morning News Readers’ Choice Awards
● Best Convenience Store – Savannah Magazine Best of Savannah Awards
● Best Convenience Market/Gas Station – Connect Savannah Best of Savannah Awards
● Best Convenience Store – Statesboro Herald “Best in the ‘Boro” Awards
● Best Convenience Store – Bryan County Now “Best of Bryan” Awards
● Regional Economic Impact Award – Greater Bluffton Chamber of Commerce
● Best Convenience Store – Island Packet
● Most Fab Convenience Store – Effingham Herald
● Most Fabulous Gas Station – Effingham Living
● Wayne County’s Favorite Convenience Store – Jesup Press-Sentinel
