ALBANY, NY -- Xtra Mart Convenience Stores Regional Manager Gary Mikutel and retired McLane Co. Area Sales Manager Tom Purcell have been elected to the New York Convenience Store Hall of Fame.

They will be inducted by the New York Association of Convenience Stores (NYACS) at its annual Chairman??s Banquet on May 13 in Syracuse.

Gary Mikutel oversees the operation of 64 Xtra Mart locations in New York, Pennsylvania, and western New England. Xtra Mart is a division of Warren Equities Inc., one of the nation??s top privately held companies.

Mikutel began his career in 1971 with Lehigh Oil Co., first as a manager, then as a supervisor overseeing 15 gas stations and stores. In 1984, he joined Drake Petroleum Inc. an operator of over 200 Xtra Mart Convenience Stores in 10 northeastern states. He served as a supervisor, district manager, food service coordinator, and director of marketing before becoming regional manager. Mikutel has served on the NYACS Board of Directors since 2002, and was its chairman from 2006 to 2008.

Tom Purcell was a long-time area sales manager with McLane Company??s Syracuse-based Northeast Division, serving convenience stores throughout New York and Pennsylvania. He was actively involved in NYACS from its first trade show in 1986 through his service as chairman of the Associate Board in 2007-08.

Purcell began his career working for seven years in the supermarket industry. He then spent 17 years with McCormack Spices and later spent two years with a Coca-Cola bottler in Syracuse. Purcell spent the last 27 years of his career McLane, retiring in 2008.

The Chairman??s Banquet is the closing event of NYACS?? two-day Trade Show and Convention, May 12-13 at the Oncenter in Syracuse. It will feature a golf tournament, welcome party, educational seminars, trade show exhibits, prizes, silent auction and other activities for member and non-member convenience store retailers and suppliers. Registration is available online.