The National Association of Truck Stop Owners announced Monday that it has promoted Darren Schulte, its vice president of membership, to interim CEO.
Schulte assumes the top role at NATSO after former CEO Lisa Mullings left the association at the end of 2024 after 20 years. NATSO confirmed in its announcement that its board of directors is still searching for a permanent CEO.
“With Darren as Interim CEO, the Board of Directors is confident that NATSO’s longstanding commitment to serving its member companies will continue,” said Joe Zietlow, NATSO chairman.
Schulte has been NATSO’s VP of membership since joining the association in 2012. Over the past 13 years, he’s developed products and services in truck stop and travel center education, research and training. He’s also been responsible for NATSO’s member recruitment and retention, as well as member participation in its events and programs.
“I am honored to be named Interim CEO of NATSO and look forward to supporting NATSO, the members, and staff as we continue to advance the interests of the truck stop and travel center industry,” said Schulte.
Schulte has spent his entire professional career in the truck stop and travel center industry. He joined Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores out of college in the late 1980s, and has held retail and merchandising-focused roles with consulting firm TSC Global, truck stop distributor Barjan LLC, Petro Shopping Centers and Hess Oil Company.
Schulte has been an outspoken advocate for traditional convenience retailers like Casey’s General Stores, RaceTrac and QuikTrip launching travel centers and truck stops. In a 2023 interview with C-Store Dive, Schulte said he thinks major players like Love’s and Pilot will relish the challenge that traditional c-store operators bring to the truck stop space.
“There’s nothing better than sharpening your saw,” Schulte said at the time. “I believe that the chains recognize that certainly as competition, but also as an opportunity to improve, which I think lifts the entire industry up.”
