IAQ: Art Stawski, Loaf 'N Jug
A native of New Orleans, Art Stawski, 46, began his career in the convenience store business working as a store associate with Total Petroleum when he was 19 years old. Today, he is the president of Loaf 'N Jug, a 176-unit chain of c-stores owned by The Kroger Co.
Stawski joined Loaf 'N Jug in 1997 as its director of operations. He was vice president of operations and executive vice president prior to assuming his current position in 2000, when the chain's founder, Sam Sharp, retired.
He attended the University of New Orleans, but put his education on hold to further his career. While he "never intended to wait 25 years" to finish his education, Stawski recently earned a bachelor's degree in business management.
Stawski and his wife, Richella, have been married 27 years and have two sons, Jason, 24, and Art Jr., 25.
What is your favorite place to visit?
It would be a toss-up between New Orleans and Las Vegas. If I have to choose, New Orleans, because of its great food, great people, the French Quarter, Mardi Gras, and the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. 'Laissez les bon temps rouler' baby!
If you won the lottery, your first purchase would be...
Three vacation homes -- in New Orleans (where else), Hawaii and somewhere in the beautiful mountains of Colorado.
If you were to open your own chain of convenience stores, what would you name them?
A chain in Louisiana -- Rajin' Cajun.
What c-store product do you like the most?
Coffee, pastries and every snack item we sell that's not good for me! But why choose, I love them all!
What is your favorite TV show?
"The Office." It's just my kind of humor. But for anyone reading this in our office: No I am not trying to emulate Michael Scott!
What is the most important event to happen in your career?
When Total decided to sell its operations in the U.S., it gave me the opportunity to join Loaf 'N Jug and advance my career even further.
Stawski joined Loaf 'N Jug in 1997 as its director of operations. He was vice president of operations and executive vice president prior to assuming his current position in 2000, when the chain's founder, Sam Sharp, retired.
He attended the University of New Orleans, but put his education on hold to further his career. While he "never intended to wait 25 years" to finish his education, Stawski recently earned a bachelor's degree in business management.
Stawski and his wife, Richella, have been married 27 years and have two sons, Jason, 24, and Art Jr., 25.
What is your favorite place to visit?
It would be a toss-up between New Orleans and Las Vegas. If I have to choose, New Orleans, because of its great food, great people, the French Quarter, Mardi Gras, and the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. 'Laissez les bon temps rouler' baby!
If you won the lottery, your first purchase would be...
Three vacation homes -- in New Orleans (where else), Hawaii and somewhere in the beautiful mountains of Colorado.
If you were to open your own chain of convenience stores, what would you name them?
A chain in Louisiana -- Rajin' Cajun.
What c-store product do you like the most?
Coffee, pastries and every snack item we sell that's not good for me! But why choose, I love them all!
What is your favorite TV show?
"The Office." It's just my kind of humor. But for anyone reading this in our office: No I am not trying to emulate Michael Scott!
What is the most important event to happen in your career?
When Total decided to sell its operations in the U.S., it gave me the opportunity to join Loaf 'N Jug and advance my career even further.