Love's & Pilot Flying J Execs Make Repeat Appearances on Richest List

OKLAHOMA CITY and KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- The number of billionaires across the globe keeps growing and U.S. convenience industry leaders continue to rank among them.

According to "The 2014 Forbes Billionaires List," the exclusive group counts 1,645 billionaires with an aggregate net worth of $6.4 trillion, up from $5.4 trillion a year ago. Microsoft founder Bill Gates finds himself in the No. 1 slot, with a net worth of $76 billion, after a four-year hiatus.

Also making appearances on the list are Tom and Judy Love, owners of Love's Travel Stops & Country Stores, and Jimmy Haslam, CEO of Pilot Flying J.

Tom and Judy Love took the No. 430 spot on this year's list with a net worth of $3.6 billion. Their Oklahoma City-based retail chain has more than 300 locations in 39 states. The couple started the company with a leased abandoned filling station in Watonga, Okla., in 1964, according to Forbes. The company is family-owned and operated. Tom is chairman and CEO, and three of his four children work for the company.

Haslam took the No. 1,154 spot on the 2014 list with a net worth of $1.5 billion. He leads a family-owned travel stop chain based in Knoxville, Tenn. In addition to Pilot Flying J, he is also owner of the National Football League's Cleveland Browns.

Pilot Flying J is one of the nation's largest private companies, with $31 billion in sales. Founded in 1958 by Haslam's father, Pilot merged with bankrupt Flying J in 2010. The company has 600 locations in 43 states and Canada.