Cumberland Farms Cherry-Picked for White House Summit

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. — Cumberland Farms President and CEO Ari Haseotes is going to Washington.

The industry leader is representing his convenience store chain at the White House Summit on Worker Voice, taking place Wednesday. He will participate in a panel discussion entitled "High Road Employer Strategies: Win/Win Solutions."

The Obama Administration was specifically seeking participation from "an employer who has taken great lengths to listen to their employees and learn what really matters to them," according to Cecilia Munoz, assistant to President Obama and director of the U.S. Domestic Policy Council. 

The panel will bring together private-sector leaders who share the commitment to making their workplaces more fair, productive and prosperous.

"This special honor really reflects the work of the entire team at Cumberland Farms and their ongoing commitment to making our company a great place to work," Haseotes said. "We are so incredibly proud and honored that our efforts and our values are being recognized by the White House, and I'm looking forward to sharing our perspectives at Wednesday's event."

The White House invitation marks the latest in a string of high-profile recognition for Cumberland Farms since Haseotes took the helm in 2008. The family-owned convenience store chain has been recognized for its approach to health care, extending full-time health benefits to an additional 1,500 formerly part-time employees ahead of the Affordable Care Act mandate. 

The company also introduced a variety of compensation models and communication platforms aimed at driving retention and employee satisfaction, which Haseotes will highlight in his panel discussion at the Summit this week.

Framingham-based Cumberland Farms has 600 convenience stores in the Northeast and Florida.