Love’s appoints company’s first Chief Marketing Officer

Patrick McLean to lead brand strategy and customer experience transformation.

Love’s Travel Stops has announced the appointment of Patrick McLean as the company’s first-ever Chief Marketing Officer, marking a significant milestone in the company’s evolution. 

Effective immediately, McLean will oversee Love’s marketing and customer experience efforts, reporting directly to company president Shane Wharton and leading nearly 300 team members.

McLean’s arrival signals a new strategic focus for the company, as it sharpens its commitment to customer-centric growth and brand elevation. In his role, he will align marketing initiatives with Love’s core values and business priorities, aiming to boost customer acquisition and retention while enhancing the overall experience across all touchpoints.

He brings over 30 years of experience to the role. Most recently, he served as senior vice president and CMO of Walgreens, where he led the launch of the "My Walgreens" loyalty platform.

Reflecting on his appointment, McLean expressed enthusiasm for the opportunity. “I’m extremely honored and excited to be selected as Love’s first-ever chief marketing officer,” he said. “Strategic investments in marketing and customer experience will elevate this already strong brand and unlock further growth for the business.”

The new CMO steps into a role previously overseen by Dave Frankenfield, vice president of marketing, who is retiring after nearly three decades with the company.