RICHMOND, Va. – The Virginia Petroleum, Convenience and Grocery Association (VPCGA) has expanded to include truck stops as a member classification, adding the Mason Dixon Truck Stop Association to its organization.

The move, effective December 14, continues the evolution of the VPCGA. In 2003, the Virginia Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Stores Association and Virginia Food Dealers Association merged to form the VPCGA.

VPCGA President Mike O’Connor said the association was approached by the Virginia-based Mason Dixon Truck Stop Association earlier this year to examine possible working relationships following the intended retirement of the truck stop association’s long-time executive director, George Bruner, at year’s end. The formal change in the association’s structure was unanimously approved by the VPCGA board.

“Representation of Virginia’s truck stop industry is a perfect fit for VPCGA,” said O’Connor. “I have worked side by side with George Bruner for years on issues of mutual concern--opposing privatization of rest stops, ensuring that Virginia marketers maintain their competitive advantage vis-à-vis our neighboring states and opposing truck-only toll highways in Virginia. Strategically, the merger also increases our membership base of locally based marketers-companies that often among the largest employers and taxpayers in their communities." 
 
VPCGA’s Truck Stop Committee will be chaired by Chip Holt of Delta Oil (Petersburg, Virginia).