Leo Vercollone, President of VERC Enterprises keynote speaker at The NE Family Business Conference

DUXBURY, Mass. - Aug. 27, 2014 - PRLog -- Leo Vercollone, President of VERC Enterprises, a leading convenience store and Gulf gasoline operator with locations throughout Massachusetts, was the keynote speaker at The New England Family Business Conference held June 19^th at The International Golf Club in Bolton, Massachusetts.

Presented in partnership with the Family Business Association and Massachusetts Family Business magazine, the event serves as a day of education and networking for family business owners and managers in New England.

Vercollone was selected as keynote speaker based on VERC Enterprises’ standing as “an outstanding example of a growing company with much to share in terms of family business success and navigating change.”

Vercollone traced the roots of VERC Enterprises to his father Eugene, who started the family business in Marshfield with a single car wash.

“You might say dad started the business to give us all jobs,” said Vercollone, who operates VERC Enterprises with his brother Paul, noting that two other brothers went their separate way by making a success of VERC Rentals, an auto rental business.

“Family is more important than business,” said Vercollone, a graduate of Boston College.  “Had we not separated, the outcome might have been different; there is no conflict as our businesses are complimentary.”

Vercollone spoke of VERC Enterprises’ growth and evolution, proudly pointing to the level of community involvement the company has maintained throughout the years, in addition to its being recognized as a leader in the hiring of individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.

He also addressed a few of the business bumps and bruises suffered along the road to success and implored his audience to “celebrate failure.”

“Try new ideas, but don’t be afraid to back away if they don’t work,” said Vercollone.  “Try 20; if 15 didn’t work, get away from them and keep the 5 that did.”

Vercollone, a native of Milton, makes his home in Duxbury with his wife Joanne; they are the proud parents of four children.  He serves on the Dealer Advisory Council for both Mobil and Gulf and is President of NECSA, the New England Convenience Store Association.

About VERC Enterprises

VERC Enterprises is the region’s leading, independent chain of convenience stores and gasoline stations, with locations throughout Eastern Massachusetts and New Hampshire.  The company began 37 years ago with a single car wash in Marshfield, in a business founded by Eugene Vercollone. Today two of Mr. Vercollone’s sons operate the company, with Leo as President and Paul as Vice President. The firm has more than 230 employees and is a leader in hiring those with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. In 2011 VERC Enterprises was recognized by the Boston Business Journal as a Best Place to Work in Massachusetts and as a Leader in Diversity and in 2011, 2012 and 2013 by the Boston Globe as a Best Place to Work in Massachusetts. For additional information, please visit the website, www.vercenterprises.com, or call 781-934-7300.