Kenneth Womack - Made to Order

MADE TO ORDER:
THE SHEETZ STORY

The Fifth Avenue Dairys horse and buggy are pictured here around 1910. (Courtesy of Sheetz.)

ON THE COVER: (Inset top) The first Sheetz Dairy Store under Bob Sheetzs ownership opened on November 1, 1952, at Fifth and Union Avenues in Altoona. The store was later renamed Sheetz Kwik Shopper. (Inset bottom) From left to right, Steve, Bob, and Stan Sheetz visit a Sheetz store. (Both courtesy of Sheetz.)

MADE TO ORDER:
THE SHEETZ STORY

Kenneth Womack

Copyright 2013 by Kenneth Womack
ISBN 978-1-4671-2062-3
Ebook ISBN 9781439642429

Published by Arcadia Publishing
Charleston, South Carolina

Library of Congress Control Number: 2013939116

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For Joseph M. Big Joe Sheetz (19452006).

CONTENTS

It is fitting that Made to Order: The Sheetz Story is dedicated to Joe Sheetz, who passed away in August 2006. In many ways, Joseph M. Big Joe Sheetz was our companys heart and soul, an abiding moral compass who helped mold Sheetz into the progressive, family-oriented organization that it is today. For more than 20 years, Big Joe served as the head of store development, a period in which the company enjoyed dynamic and unparalleled growth. But even more importantly, Big Joe was a beloved family man and a dedicated, active member of his community.

As we look back over the past six decades, we are proud of our companys many contributions to the shaping and reshaping of retail culture into the new century. But we are even more proud of the way in which we grew the organization, through the leadership and vision of Bob Sheetz, from a one-store operation in 1952 to more than 450 locations today. Through our collective efforts, we established a company that is unfailingly customer and employee oriented, that never shies away from doing the right thing, and, above all, places people and their welfare before anything else.

In his own right, Joe was a great champion of these ideals. Not surprisingly, Big Joe was instrumental in the creation of our For the Kidz charities. For the Kidz dates back to 1992, when district managers Dan McMahon and Charlie Campbell led the companys employee base in raising $12,000 to help out 126 disadvantaged children during the holidays. Since its humble beginnings, the initiative has raised $11.6 million to support more than 69,000 children. After his death in 2006, we honored Joes character and passion for philanthropy through the Big Joe Scholarship Fund, which provides vital learning opportunities for the children and stepchildren of our employees based upon their academic success, overall excellence of character, community involvement, and leadership. We know, in our hearts, that these are the very characteristics that Joe valued above all else andperhaps even more significantlythat he would have cherished the most in creating brighter futures for todays youth.

As we ponder our companys long history through the pages of this book, we cannot help thinking about all of the changes that have impacted our industry since the early 1950s. Back then, it was all but impossible to imagine the technological innovations and cultural shifts that have dramatically altered our business in countless ways. But through it all, our family has existed as a singular source of strength and continuity through such rapidly changing times. We pledge that Sheetz will continue to celebrate this strength by cementing itself as a family-oriented business. To this end, we are proud to note that Big Joes son, Joe S. Joey Sheetz, assumed the mantle of leadership as our companys chief executive officer in October 2013. Through Joeys new role with Sheetz, we are both welcoming in a new generation of leadership and maintaining our companys legacy at the same time. As always, we are excited by the prospects to come as we write the next chapter of our companys history.

Steve and Stan Sheetz

This book would not have been possible without the efforts of Bob and Steve Sheetz, who gave generously of their time and energy in sharing their experiences through numerous interviews. I am likewise indebted to a host of central figures who graciously shared their work and life experiences with me, including Stan Sheetz, Charlie Sheetz, Joe Sheetz Jr., Louie Sheetz, and Nancy Sheetz. I am also thankful for the time and generosity of Buddy Casado, Daniel Chef Dan Coffin, Jimmy Coonan, Rick Cyman, Stephanie Doliveira, Mike Lorenz, John Mickel, Ray Ryan, Jim Sheetz, Joyce Twombly, Jim Wenner, and Dave Woody Woodley, who was such a joy to work with that we conducted the very same interview twice! I am especially thankful to the new generation of Sheetz family members who shared their observations and insights with me, including Adam Sheetz, Ashley Sheetz, Ryan Sheetz, and Travis Sheetz.

For their kind assistance and generosity, I am indebted to a number of folks at Sheetz corporate headquarters and at the companys distribution center, including Bonnie Diehl, Marcia Cahill, Mary Ann Hanlon, Tina Hurm, Deb Kociban, Karen McCabe, Melissa McKee, Valerie Metzler, Barbara Miller, Tyne Palazzi, Gary Partner, Maria Patrick, Jill Reed, Andrea Rogers, Kristin Smith, and Gary Zimmerman. Likewise, a variety of different resources made this book possible, including the Altoona Mirrors Walt Frank, whose Sheetz expos provided a helpful timeline, along with Arcadia Publishings Katie Kellett, Abby Henry, Jim Kempert, Rebekah Collinsworth, Erin Vosgien, and Lindsay Carter. Special thanks are due to Tammy Dunkley, the Sheetz corporate advertising manager, for bringing the books cover art to fruition.

A very special shout-out is due to Nicki Barnes, Steve and Stans executive assistant at Sheetz, who was an indefatigable source of goodwill and comradeship throughout the composition of this book. I am particularly thankful for the warmth and friendship of Earl Springer, who never failed to answer my queries, no matter how small. Earl, you are made to order indeed!

At Penn State Altoona, I am thankful for the encouragement and support of Lori J. Bechtel-Wherry, Michele Kennedy, Nancy Vogel, and Sue Woodring. Special thanks are due to Roseanna Shumskas for her invaluable assistance and expertise in assembling this books photographic record. I am especially grateful for the steadfast efforts of Kira Condee-Padunova, my top-drawer research assistant, who transcribed hundreds of hours of interviews in preparation for this books composition. Finally, I am indebted to my wife, Jeanine Womack, who makes all things possible.

Unless otherwise noted, all images are courtesy of Sheetz.

The story of Sheetzas with the narrative of any successful, long-term venturehas a certain element of risk embedded in it. And for all of his business acumen, Bob Sheetz, the companys founder, has a gamblers persona. Make no mistake about it. He knows how to ride a lucky streak. As his younger brother Louie remarks, Bob is fearless, very independent. He is a true adventurer.

Bobs brother Steve is fond of recalling an instance in 1971 in which the famous Pistol Pete Maravich was playing the sold-out NIT tournament at Madison Square Garden. Bob and I both love sports, Steve remembers, and Bob said, Lets go. I said, We dont have tickets. Bob said, Were going. Lets go. He was always that way.