Thorntons Promotes Tony Harris to President

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Thorntons' Chief Operating Officer Tony Harris is moving up the corporate ladder and will assume the president position in October. Matt Thornton, who currently serves as CEO and president, will continue as CEO.

Harris has been with Thorntons for his entire 20-year convenience industry career. He has held various positions of leadership, including director of information technology projects, vice president of information technology and facility services, and vice president of operations. Most recently, Harris was promoted to COO of the convenience store chain in 2011.

He earned a bachelor's degree in management information systems from Western Kentucky University and a Master of Business Administration from Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management.

"We are excited to appoint Tony as our new president. His leadership and experience are perfectly aligned with our future strategy and growth plans," CEO Thornton said.

In conjunction with this leadership change, Mike Woerner, chief people officer, will take over as COO in October. Woerner joined Thorntons in 2009 with 30 years of retail experience at Wawa Inc. and Dollar General. He holds a Master of Business Administration from St. Joseph's University.

Headquartered in Louisville, Thorntons operates more than 174 gasoline and convenience stores, car washes and travel plazas in six states: Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Florida and Tennessee.