Tag: Pilot Flying J

(BRK.A), (BRK.B)

Pilot, a Berkshire Hathaway company and North America’s leading energy and travel center operator, has introduced a new corporate giving initiative called Miles of Good. Rooted in the company’s purpose of showing people they matter, the program aims to create meaningful change through charitable donations, volunteerism, and local partnerships.

“At Pilot, people matter — and giving is another way we can show them that’s true,” said CEO Adam Wright. Miles of Good will focus on three core areas: safety, education, and support for veterans.

The initiative will fund and support safety programs, expand access to education — especially in STEM fields — and honor veterans by helping them transition to civilian life and careers. In 2023 alone, Pilot donated over $5.5 million to causes aligned with these values.

“What makes Miles of Good special is how it empowers our team members to make a difference,” said Meg Counts, Director of Corporate Giving and Events. The initiative encourages Pilot’s 30,000 team members to volunteer and contribute directly to their communities.

Complementing the new program, Pilot has also launched Pilot Cares, an assistance fund to help employees facing personal hardships, such as medical emergencies or disaster recovery.

With Miles of Good, Pilot is reinforcing its commitment to people and communities, paving the way for a more positive and connected future. More information is available at pilotflyingj.com/miles-of-good.

© 2025 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell the stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

(BRK.A), (BRK.B)

Berkshire Hathaway’s Pilot is making history by introducing the country’s first B99 biodiesel retail offering for commercial fleets at its Decatur, Illinois, travel center.

This milestone is the result of a strategic collaboration with PepsiCo, ADM, and Optimus Technologies, aiming to advance sustainability in the trucking industry.

B99 biodiesel, a low-carbon fuel made from vegetable oils, animal fats, or recycled grease, is a game-changer for reducing emissions in hard-to-decarbonize sectors like long-haul trucking. Optimus Technologies played a key role in enabling this transition with its innovative technology that upgrades diesel engines to run on up to 100% biodiesel.

“We know how important sustainability is to our customers and strive to meet their growing needs for greener fuel options,” said Eric Fobes, head of renewables at Pilot. “This collaboration highlights how partnerships can drive impactful solutions.”

The rollout includes B99 biodiesel installations at:

• Now available: 4030 East Boyd Road, Decatur, IL
• Coming this spring: 11957 Douglas Avenue, Des Moines, IA
• Coming this summer: 8787 South Lancaster Road, Dallas, TX

Supported by industry organizations like the Iowa Soybean Association and the American Lung Association, this initiative reflects Pilot’s commitment to shaping a more sustainable future for commercial transportation.

© 2025 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell the stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

(BRK.A), (BRK.B)

Berkshire Hathaway’s Pilot, a key player in fuel supply and North America’s largest travel center network, has made a significant move by appointing Gary Hoogeveen as president of Pilot Energy. With over two decades of industry and business expertise, Hoogeveen most recently served as CEO of Berkshire’s Rocky Mountain Power.

Adam Wright, CEO of Pilot, expressed enthusiasm about Hoogeveen joining the team, citing his extensive leadership experience and valuable perspective. Wright emphasized the pivotal role of the energy sector in Pilot’s operations and its dedication to meeting customer needs amidst evolving energy landscapes.

In his new role, Hoogeveen will lead Pilot Energy’s integrated fuel supply chain, overseeing upstream infrastructure, asset management, business development, fuel procurement, and logistics. Moreover, he will drive innovation in electric and alternative energy solutions, aligning with Pilot’s vision of advancing the industry while optimizing traditional fuel supply.

Prior to joining Pilot, Hoogeveen served as CEO of Rocky Mountain Power and held various management positions within Berkshire Hathaway Energy since 2000. His academic background includes a Bachelor of Science in physics from the University of Northern Iowa and a Ph.D. in space physics from Rice University.

© 2024 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell a stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

(BRK.A), (BRK.B)

Pilot Travel Centers LLC, a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway, is gearing up for significant expansion and improvement in 2024. With plans to add 35 new travel centers and revamp over 75 existing locations, the company is committed to enhancing its services and presence across the United States.

The expansion efforts include the construction of 10 new travel centers, which will not only increase the company’s footprint in various states but also offer additional amenities and over 500 truck parking spaces. Furthermore, the addition of 25 dealer locations to the network will enable drivers to access more stops eligible for Pilot Travel Centers LLC’s loyalty perks and programs.

Allison Cornish, Senior Vice President of Store Modernization and Development at Pilot Travel Centers LLC, emphasized the company’s focus on community expansion and service enhancement. She highlighted the significant investments being made to ensure an exceptional experience for drivers at every stop along their journey.

In alignment with its New Horizons initiative, the company plans to renovate an additional 75 locations this year, bringing the total number of remodels to nearly 200 since the program’s launch in 2022. These renovations will include upgrades such as refreshed restrooms, expanded food and beverage options, and updated technology, aiming to provide a modern and comfortable environment for customers.

Moreover, Pilot Travel Centers LLC is enhancing its maintenance and tire services through its partnership with Southern Tire Mart. With plans to add more than 30 shops to its travel centers over the next year, the company aims to provide top-of-the-line services to its trucking customers, bringing the total number of locations to over 85 nationwide.

© 2024 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell a stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

(BRK.A), (BRK.B)

Berkshire Hathaway has settled its dispute with the Haslem family over the valuation of the remaining 20 percent share of the Pilot Corporation that the Haslems owned.

On Sunday, Berkshire Hathaway announced that “it has reached an agreement to fully settle the Delaware litigation, including all claims and counterclaims, between Pilot Corporation and Berkshire Hathaway Inc., Pilot Travel Centers LLC, and National Indemnity Company.”

The Haslem family had sued Berkshire contending that its change to pushdown accounting had hurt their valuation in regards to Berkshire’s buyout of the remaining 20 percent stake that the Haslems still owned of the travel center company. Berkshire counter sued contending that the Haslems had illegally engaged in a bribery scheme where top executives received payments in exchange for inflating earnings in a manner that would benefit Haslems on the price Berkshire would ultimately pay to the Haslems.

The matter was due to be fought out in two-day trial this week in Delaware court, but the settlement has ended all litigation. No terms of the settlement have been released.

© 2024 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell a stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

(BRK.A), (BRK.B)

In a surprise move, Berkshire Hathaway has broken with its longstanding tradition of only acquiring companies that provide management and has appointed new executives to lead Pilot Company.

The largest operator of travel centers in North America, Pilot Company has become a pillar of the transportation ecosystem, providing fuel and other services to millions of travelers each year.

The announcement came today that Adam Wright will be joining the company as Chief Executive Officer, and Joe Lillo will become Chief Financial Officer. Both executives are longtime Berkshire Hathaway employees, and they will officially take their positions on May 30, 2023. Shameek Konar and Kevin Wills, the current CEO and CFO, will be leaving their respective positions after supporting the transition.

After Berkshire Hathaway became the majority owner of Pilot Company on January 31, 2023, they identified Wright and Lillo as the best candidates to lead the company’s long-term growth and vision plans. Wright has over two decades of experience as a leader in the energy sector, and Lillo has been an integral part of the Berkshire Hathaway Energy family of businesses for more than 25 years.

Greg Abel, Vice Chair, Non-Insurance Operations for Berkshire Hathaway, commented on the appointment, saying, “Pilot Company has become one of the most future-forward companies in our industry. Adam’s energy expertise, leadership, and focus on customer satisfaction will help ensure Pilot Company remains a pillar of North America’s transportation ecosystem for decades to come. From the beginning of our journey together, Berkshire Hathaway recognized Pilot Company as a strong business that was well-positioned for the long term and was backed by an innovative and hardworking team. I am confident Adam and Joe have a solid platform from which to propel the company forward.”
It’s an honor to join the Pilot family and to lead such an influential company that has fueled millions of journeys over the past 65 years,” said Wright. “Pilot remains focused on meeting the unique needs of our pro drivers, fleets, guests, and Team Members while advancing a strong company strategy that positions us for the future.”

The Haslam family continues to be an integral part of the company with 20 percent ownership and James A. Haslam II, founder of Pilot Company, and James A. “Jimmy” Haslam III as members of the Board.

“I want to thank Shameek and Kevin for all that they have done for Pilot Company. They have been instrumental in leading our over 30,000 Team Members through several years of growth and innovation,” said Jimmy Haslam. “While we express our utmost gratitude to them, I also want to welcome Adam, Joe and their families to Pilot Company and to the Knoxville community.”

© 2023 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell a stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

Pilot Company, the largest operator of travel centers in North America, announced today a strategic partnership with Kodiak Robotics, Inc., a leading self-driving trucking company. Through this partnership, Pilot Company and Kodiak are collaborating to develop autonomous truck services at Pilot and Flying J travel centers.

Pilot Company and Kodiak are in the process of creating an autonomous truckport in the Atlanta area to evaluate potential service offerings and explore scalable solutions. These services will include spaces to pick-up and drop-off autonomous trucking loads; conduct inspections; maintain and refuel trucks; and the ability to transfer data for processing, such as feature development and mapping. To strengthen the ability to work together to develop a solution that works best for its customers, Pilot Company has made a strategic investment in Kodiak and will join the company’s Board of Directors.

“Pilot Company is committed to providing best in class service to its customers today and going forward,” said John Tully, Vice President of Strategy and Business Development at Pilot Company. “In making this strategic investment, we understand that our customers have a need for real solutions that help address the growing demand to move goods and Kodiak is a strong leader in the autonomous trucking space. As we explore the future of autonomous trucks and how we can best support these customers, we will continue to be the travel center network that the trucking industry and professional drivers can count on for the services and care they need.”

Combining Pilot Company’s nationwide network of travel centers and services with Kodiak’s technology will play a crucial role in the deployment of autonomous trucks. Kodiak will lend its expertise as Pilot Company looks to integrate autonomous truck services into its operations. The partnership will further define service and maintenance requirements, operational necessities, facilities planning, and more to meet the needs of autonomous trucks.

“Pilot Company’s industry-leading network of highway-adjacent travel centers provides unprecedented geographic reach for the launch and scale of Kodiak’s fast-growing network of autonomous trucking lanes,” said Don Burnette, Founder and CEO of Kodiak Robotics. “Their customer first approach, with a focus on technology, scale, and infrastructure, makes Pilot Company an ideal partner to support the service and maintenance of self-driving trucks nationwide. We are honored to have Pilot Company as an investor, strategic partner, and supporter of our continued commercial footprint growth.”

Kodiak entered a hyper-growth phase in 2022, significantly expanding its service footprint and partner network. In July, the company announced a partnership with 10 Roads Express, a provider of time sensitive surface transportation for the U.S. Postal Service, expanding the company’s service to Florida. Earlier this year, Kodiak announced a new route between Dallas and Oklahoma City with CEVA Logistics and a route between Dallas and Atlanta with U.S. Xpress. The company has been delivering freight commercially since 2019 and currently has six routes that run regularly between Dallas and Houston, Austin, San Antonio, Atlanta, Oklahoma City and Jacksonville, Florida.

Berkshire Hathaway and Pilot

In 2017, Berkshire Hathaway made a $2.76 billion investment in Pilot, obtaining an initial 38.6 percent stake in the company, and Berkshire will become the majority owner in 2023.

© 2022 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell a stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

(BRK.A), (BRK.B)

Berkshire Hathaway-backed Pilot Company and automaker General Motors are collaborating on a national DC fast charging network that will be installed, operated and maintained by EVgo through their eXtend offering.

The network of 2,000 charging stalls will be co-branded “Pilot Flying J” and “Ultium Charge 360”, and will be powered by EVgo eXtend and open to all EV brands at up to 500 Pilot and Flying J travel centers.

GM customers will receive special benefits like exclusive reservations, discounts on charging, a streamlined charging process through Plug and Charge and integration into GM’s vehicle brand apps providing real-time charger availability and help with route planning.

The Pilot and Flying J travel centers plan to feature numerous fast charging stalls provided by EVgo, including high power fast chargers capable of offering up to 350 kW1. EVgo, which is also working with GM to add more than 3,250 fast chargers in American cities and suburbs by the end of 2025, was chosen as a strategic collaborator due to its expertise in building, operating and maintaining DC fast charging infrastructure. Many of these sites will feature canopies to help protect customers from the elements while charging, as well as pull-through capability allowing convenient charging for electric pickup trucks and SUVs pulling trailers.

“We are committed to an all-electric, zero-emissions future, and ensuring that the right charging infrastructure is in place is a key piece of the puzzle,” said Mary Barra, GM Chair and Chief Executive Officer. “With travel centers across North America, Pilot Company is an ideal collaborator to reach a broad audience of EV drivers.”

“GM and Pilot Company designed this program to combine private investments alongside intended government grant and utility programs to help reduce range anxiety and significantly close the gap in long-distance EV charger demand,” said Shameek Konar, Pilot Company Chief Executive Officer. “Our travel centers are well-equipped to accommodate EV charging with 24/7 amenities and convenient proximity to major roadways across the country. We look forward to collaborating with GM and the U.S. Department of Transportation to make convenient coast-to-coast EV travel a reality through our national network of travel centers.”

Third-party research shows that widespread access to highway charging, particularly in underserved urban and rural areas, is a significant barrier to mass EV adoption.

“EVgo, GM and Pilot Company share a commitment to building an electric fueling network that increases access and makes the shift to electrification as frictionless as possible for all. We look forward to this collaboration and ensuring the EVgo network provides nationwide coverage, including critical corridors for road trips,” said Cathy Zoi, CEO at EVgo. “Through EVgo eXtend, we are demonstrating yet another innovative pathway to help America electrify — and showcasing why EVgo’s technology and industry leadership make us the partner of choice to site hosts, automakers and drivers alike as we work together to deliver a cleaner future of transportation.”

This collaboration is targeting the installation of charging stalls at 50-mile intervals across the U.S.

For GM, this development is one more step of its nearly $750 million investment in EV charging infrastructure, including:
• Enabling access to more than 100,000 charge points in the U.S. and Canada through its Ultium Charge 360 ecosystem
• Collaborating with EVgo to build out a network of 3,250 charging stalls in major metro areas by 2025
• Installing up to 40,000 chargers in local dealer communities through GM’s Dealer Community Charging Program, focusing on underserved rural and urban areas

This project builds on Pilot Company’s recently announced “New Horizons” initiative to invest $1 billion to fully upgrade its travel centers with more premium amenities and offerings that aren’t typically available at current EV charging locations. Guests will have access to free Wi-Fi at most locations, expanded seating and lounge areas, updated and modernized restrooms, on-site restaurants including Pilot’s signature fresh hot and cold deli, premium coffee, and shopping for travel essentials and souvenirs while their vehicles are charging. Pilot and Flying J travel centers are open 24/7, ensuring that team members are always onsite to provide consistently high service to guests.

Beyond this program, GM and Pilot Company will continue working with key stakeholders to use new and existing public-private programs to accelerate the development of more public EV charging infrastructure.

Berkshire Hathaway and Pilot

In 2017, Berkshire Hathaway made a $2.76 billion investment in Pilot, obtaining an initial 38.6 percent stake in the company, and Berkshire will become the majority owner in 2023.

© 2022 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell a stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.