Shawn Wise, Director of Operations, Quantum Services

A model example of growth and development, Shawn Wise, Director of Operations, began her career journey with Quantum Services in 2008 as an Inventory Auditor. Her skills and knowledge enabled her to take leadership strides, growing exponentially within the company. Since then, Shawn has held several integral positions, including Audit Supervisor, Division Manager, and Senior Operations Manager. Her distinctive ability to build meaningful relationships with both her teams and clients, combined with her unwavering dedication to her responsibilities, has led to great successes for both her and Quantum Services. 

HOMEGROWN TRAILBLAZER 

Shawn joined Quantum Services with previous experience in the convenience store industry, giving her a unique perspective and understanding of the business from the client’s side. The day-to-day operations of c-store management, including working with staff and customers, provided her with valuable insights on how to better serve her clients and teams. In every role she has held at Quantum Services, Shawn has embodied the company’s core values, acting with integrity, adaptability, and appreciation, all while focusing on continuous improvement. 

Over the years, Shawn has demonstrated strong leadership skills, grown her teams, and created opportunities through mentoring, building relationships, and tackling challenges head-on. When asked about the qualities of a strong leader, she thoughtfully replied: 

“Communication and being a good listener. You can’t communicate effectively without listening first. It is so important to really listen and understand what someone may be going through and operate with compassion. Taking the time to understand all the outside factors and finding a balance helps the business run smoothly and keeps employees feeling valued and appreciated.” 

As she steps into her new role, Shawn is excited and optimistic. Although the transition is still underway, she looks forward to taking on new responsibilities and sharing the role with her colleague, Carlos Lara. Shawn will oversee operations in the Eastern part of the country, while Carlos will manage the Midwest and Western regions. They have built a strong working relationship and plan to collaborate closely—keeping each other informed, exchanging ideas, and standardizing procedures to strengthen relationships and results.  

A SHIFTING FUTURE 

Previously, Shawn worked directly with Division Managers, but she will now shift to working closely with Area Managers and Senior Operations Managers to develop both employees and the business. She will also increase her interaction with outside clients, building new relationships through business review meetings and working closely with Area Managers. Her goal is to “be the best that I can be and ensure that I am helping others to do better and achieve more.” 

Looking ahead to the upcoming November C-Store Women (CSW) event, we spoke with Shawn about the role of women in the c-store industry and the benefits of empowering diversity in leadership. She noted that she has observed significant growth in the presence of women and diversity in c-store management, and at Quantum Services, the number of women in Senior Operations Manager and Area Manager roles outnumbers the men. 

While Quantum Services empowers both men and women in the industry, Shawn highlights that women often have a unique understanding of work/life balance that impacts their teams. Generally, women are the primary caregivers, juggling many tasks both at and outside of work, which fosters an appreciation for balance and understanding in an industry where it can be difficult to achieve. Shawn empowers her teams by mentoring them, encouraging them to reach their career goals, and holding them accountable for their success. 

Congratulations to Shawn on her much-deserved promotion! We look forward to seeing her continue to grow and implement positive changes across the Quantum Services footprint. 

If you’re interested in learning more about Quantum Services, our team, and our accurate inventory reporting services, reach out today!