Gulf Station Ownership Recognized As Leader In Diversity

Note: The following is an announcement from VERC Enterprises:

VERC Enterprises, the company which owns and operates VERC Lynnfield Gulf located at 8 Broadway, has been named a “Leader in Diversity” by the Boston Business Journal.

VERC Enterprises is a 200-employee, 24-location Massachusetts-based independent operator of convenience stores/gas stations and car washes. This location in Lynnfield is managed by Inez Coleman and operates from 4 a.m. to Midnight each day.

VERC will join other companies at a recognition dinner on October 21 for this award. Earlier this year, the company was also recognized by the Boston Business Journal as a finalist in their “Best Places to Work” competition. Another goal achieved by VERC this year is reaching a level of 20% of their workforce being comprised of individuals with physical or mental disabilities or challenges, which has been a cornerstone of the company’s diversity program.

From a diversity vantage point, VERC has many foreign or ‘new American’ employees. Twelve Store Managers are from countries other than the USA. Approximately 24 of their full and part time associates also hail from diverse ethnic backgrounds – including workers from Africa, Brazil, Cambodia, Cape Verde, Dominican Republic, Egypt, El Salvador, Greece, Hungary, India, Ireland, Italy, Pakistan, Peru, Portugal, and Puerto Rico.

But perhaps the signature piece of their diversity is achieving the milestone of having 20% of their workforce comprised of workers with physical or mental disabilities or challenges.

Leo Vercollone, CEO, said that his company has long believed in the value of reaching out to individuals with physical or mental disabilities or challenges, and that the stores that his company owns and manage have many employment opportunities for those workers. “We have been going in this direction for a while.  For a few years, we were at 10% and thought we could do better, so we set a company goal of 15%, which we achieved in 2010, and then 20% in 2011.”

He added, “We are very honored to be recognized as a leader in diversity and believe that it is a goal that all companies should aspire to.”  Vercollone credits the New York Times bestseller, “From Good to Great,” as inspiration for him to develop the program. “The book essentially says that in order for a business to survive, being good isn’t enough – you have to be the best at something.” He continued, “What we discovered is that we can be great at bringing in people with developmental and/or intellectual disabilities. It has been a win-win for our stores and our communities.”

“The employees that we bring in under this program are excellent,” said Vercollone, adding, “They are productive, do great work and add to the culture.” In addition to local applicants who may apply for work independently, VERC has developed a strong network of resources that includes Minuteman ARC, Plymouth ARC, Best Buddies, BAMSI, Eastern Middlesex ARC, Post Program of Duxbury, Road to Responsibility and others.

His goal for VERC Enterprises is only part of the mission. “I invite other companies to come in and see how this program works, and then to get on board and do it themselves.” He added, “Think of what could happen if every company set a minimum goal of 15% or 20% disabled/challenged for their workforce, and if they set similar standards for diversity in hiring.”

The Minuteman ARC has recognized the company as Community Employer of the Year. Additionally, they have been named a Veteran-Friendly Employer by the Massachusetts House of Representatives.

VERC Enterprises operates stores in Duxbury, Pembroke, Plymouth, Kingston, Raynham, Framingham, Berlin, Andover, West Andover, Westford, Lynnfield, Dorchester, Danvers, Allston, East Acton, Marlboro, Boxboro, Weston, and Nashua, NH; as well as car washes in Marshfield, Norwell, and Plymouth.