Tom Love
| Tom Love | |
|---|---|
| Born |
Thomas E. Love October 1937 (age 77) Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, US |
| Education | St. Gregory's High School |
| Alma mater |
St. John's University (dropped out) University of Oklahoma (dropped out) |
| Occupation | Chairman and CEO, Love's Travel Stops & Country Stores |
| Net worth | $3.9 billion (February 2015)[1] |
| Spouse(s) | Judy Love |
| Children | 4 |
| Parent(s) | F. C. Love and Margaret Eugenia Vessels Love |
Thomas E. Love (born October 1937) is an American entrepreneur, the owner, founder, chairman and CEO of Love's Travel Stops & Country Stores.
Early life
Thomas E. Love[2] was born in Oklahoma City in October 1937,[3] one of six siblings, the son of F. C. Love, a lawyer who was later president of the oil company Kerr-McGee,[4] and Margaret Eugenia Vessels Love.[2]
Aged 13, he left home to be educated as a boarder at St. Gregory's High School in Shawnee, where he was a "standout" football player.[4][5]
Love attended St. John's University in St. Cloud, Minnesota, but "flunked out" after less than one semester.[5] He then joined the US Marine Corps and over a three-year career, rose to the rank of corporal. When he left the Marines, he married and decided to try college once more. "I thought I was doing great, but unfortunately, my assessment was not shared by everyone".[5] He dropped out of the University of Oklahoma in 1964.[1]
Career
Initially, Love owned restaurants and car washes, until he discovered an opportunity in abandoned gas stations.[4]
In January 1964, Love and his wife Judy leased a self-service gas station in Watonga, Oklahoma.[1][4] Love went on to open another 30 gas stations. Then in 1971, he decided to merge self-service gas stations with convenience stores, and the business continued to grow.[4]
Today, Love's Travel Stops & Country Stores is a national chain with 300 locations in 39 states.[1]
Personal life
Tom and Judy Love married on December 26, 1961.[3] They have four children and live in Oklahoma City, US. Three of their children work for the company.[1] Frank Love is the president and COO, Greg Love is the president of Love’s development companies and Jenny Love Meyer is the vice president of communications.[6]
Judy Love is Secretary of Love's Travel Stops, and President of Love's Family Foundation. She sits on the boards of Oklahoma City University, SSM Health Care, the St. Anthony Foundation, Oklahoma City Museum of Art, Civic Center Music Hall, Allied Arts, Community Foundation and the University of Central Oklahoma Foundation.[7]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 "Tom Love". Forbes. Retrieved 12 February 2015.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Margaret Eugenia Vessels Love". NewsOK. February 3, 2005. Retrieved 14 February 2015.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Tom Love". SMEI Academy of Achievement. Retrieved 12 February 2015.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 Shottenkirk, Marcia (April 9, 2007). "The Century Club: Tom Love, CEO of Love's Country Stores". The Journal Record. Retrieved 12 February 2015.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 May, Bill (July 1, 1995). "Diligence, Good Sites Give Love Midas Touch". The Journal Record. Retrieved 12 February 2015.
- ↑ "Love's Travel Stops & Country Stores Inc.". Supply Chain World. Retrieved 20 February 2015.
- ↑ Jane Jayroe (25 January 2011). Devote Forty Days. Tate Publishing. pp. 125–126. ISBN 978-1-61739-098-2.