Sapp Bros. Founder to Receive Hall of Fame Award

OMAHA, Neb. — Sapp Bros. Travel Centers Inc. founder William "Bill" Sapp will receive the Hall of Fame award at The NATSO Show in February, the NATSO Foundation announced. This award recognizes individuals for notable participation in the truck stop and travel plaza industry, their communities and in the trade association itself.

NATSO members nominate candidates for the award, and past Hall of Fame recipients select the winner each year. This year's NATSO Show will take place Feb. 16-19 at the Wynn Las Vegas.

Sapp opened the first Sapp Bros. location in Omaha in 1971. The company now operates 16 travel centers in Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Pennsylvania, Utah and Wyoming.

"Since day No. 1, Bill's focus has been trying to create the most positive experience possible for working men and women on the road," said Sapp Bros. President Don Quinn, who noted that Sapp has worked to cultivate a friendly atmosphere with clean facilities, the right product offerings and more.

The company built its first chapel at its Omaha location in the early 1980s. "Bill has personally supported and partnered with several ministries to offer services at many of our locations," Quinn added.

Sapp is a longtime NATSO supporter who served on the board of directors from 1993 to 1998. He has also been active in the Nebraska Petroleum Marketers Association for more than 40 years.

"Bill has always supported NATSO and his fellow operators. From the beginning, he has been willing to share information and guidance, whether it is through a quick phone call with a friend or during an industry meeting. The Hall of Fame award is meant to recognize members who serve as a source of pride for the travel plaza and truck stop industry, and Bill most certainly does," said NATSO President and CEO Lisa Mullings. "He is incredibly deserving of this award."

The NATSO Foundation will present the Hall of Fame Award to Sapp during the Kickoff Keynote event on Feb. 16.