Last week on Dancing with the Wawa Stars, Wawa’s Chief Operating Officer David Johnston paired up with a professional dancer and delivered a sizzling Meringue performance that impressed even the contest judges. When it was all over, the crowd was on their feet cheering and David was beaming, slightly stooped to catch his breath. He sure danced like a star, only this performance wasn’t televised, the judges and audience were Wawa Associates, and David wasn’t even in the U.S. – he was performing in the Dominican Republic as part of Wawa’s 22nd annual President’s Club.

Established in 1988, the President’s Club has become an institution at Wawa, recognizing the unparalleled excellence achieved by our General and Area Managers. Each year the President’s Club gives Wawa an opportunity to recognize and inspire Wawa’s very best Managers. This very special group of people – the top 20 percent of General Managers and Area Managers – leads the way in Wawa’s quest to simplify our customer’s daily lives and provide them with an experience unmatched in our market.  These individuals motivate their associates, delight their customers and are true Wawa brand ambassadors. The President’s Club is our way of thanking them for consistently going above and beyond in everything that they do. After all it’s because of associates like them, that we are able to provide our customers with the highest level of convenience possible.

We selected the Pocono Mountains in Pennsylvania as the site of the first President’s Club in honor of the long, tough climb to the top. Over the years, even as this symbolic backdrop has been replaced with the historic Washington DC skyline, the sun soaked Arizona desert, and the sparkling beaches of Aruba, I still feel that climbing the world’s highest mountains serves as a powerful metaphor for what it takes to make the President’s Club at Wawa.  Since 1988, hundreds of Wawa General Managers have set new records and reached new altitudes as they were inducted into the President’s Club. Together, they have taken Wawa to new heights and have given us the strength to climb the highest peaks.

Over the years, the setting of the President’s Club ring presentation has changed from hotel ballrooms to mountain tops, from baseball fields to ancient ruins, from beaches to theaters as we strive to create an atmosphere symbolic of the meaning of the President’s Club. Although locations have changed and theme songs come and go, one thing remains constant – our General Managers’ inexhaustible pursuit of excellence. They continue to reach higher to create a wonderful, inviting experience for their customers.

No one knows about reaching higher better than Valerie Waite. Val has reached the peak of the President’s Club for 20 years – more than anyone in Wawa history.  When we started this great tradition 22 years ago, we never imagined someone could achieve what Val has accomplished.  Val is an inspiration to all of us at Wawa for her continued commitment to excellence and to climbing mountains.  Val embodies all of the characteristics needed to make the Presidents’ Club: she has vision, passion, and a self-starting nature; she challenges herself time and time again and assembles the right team to produce the best results. 

So it was my honor to celebrate Val and all of the members of the 2009 President’s Club for their continued quest for excellence and belief that dreams and goals can come true.  No matter how steep the slope, how tough the climb or how strong the winds, the summit is always within reach…you just have to work to get there.

I know that all of these extraordinary individuals – our dedicated associates – will continue to keep reaching higher for you and help to redefine convenience year after year. 

‘Til next time…