The Family Business CEOs to Watch Class of 2024 comprises 20 exceptional business leaders who are charting the course for long-term success of their enterprises. They include members of the second through fifth generations of family ownership as well as non-family leaders.
Varish Goyal
President & CEO | Second generation | Vintners Distributors, Fremont, Calif.
Varish Goyal leads Vintners Distributors, a fuel retailer in the San Francisco Bay area; AU Energy, a fuel wholesaler and retailer in the San Francisco Bay area; and Loop Neighborhood Markets, located across California. As president and CEO of these companies, he has overseen significant growth, particularly at Vintners Distributors, which has become one of California’s largest gas service operations. He has focused on integrating technology and enhancing customer service.
In addition to his corporate responsibilities, Goyal serves on the board of visitors at Duke University. In this role, he provides strategic advice on long-term planning, academic programming and philanthropy.
Goyal is a member of the National Association of Convenience Stores’ Research Council and serves on the association’s board of directors and executive committee. Through these positions, he contributes to setting strategic directions for the industry and educating peers.
“Over the past 15 years, I have had the privilege of watching Varish grow into the strong leader that he is today,” says his brother Kpish Goyal, legal counsel for the business. “When it comes to steering our family business, Varish has always led by example. His vision for Vintners Distributors, Au Energy and Loop Neighborhood Markets is not just about business growth; it’s about upholding the core values our parents instilled in us — integrity, hard work and a commitment to our community.
“Working alongside Varish, I’ve witnessed firsthand his dedication to innovation and excellence. He doesn’t just make decisions; he guides us through challenges with a steady hand and a clear vision for the future. Varish’s ability to balance the needs of the business with a deep sense of responsibility toward our employees and customers is what truly sets him apart. He’s not just a CEO; he’s a steward of our family’s legacy, ensuring that the business thrives while staying true to the principles we were raised with. It’s inspiring to see how Varish mentors and empowers everyone around him, from our team members to the younger generation in our family. I couldn’t ask for a better role model and leader of our family’s enterprise.”
“My goal was never to work in the family business,” Varish Goyal says. “How hard is it to sell Twinkies and chips, really? That is why I pursued an engineering degree and then went on to medical school. However, when something is meant to be, nothing you do stops it. After graduating with an M.D./MBA, I was unable to land a job, forcing me to do something. So, I reluctantly started working in the family business.
“Starting with IT and moving through other areas of the company, I learned all aspects of the business. We pushed for more growth and were able to complete two acquisitions along with continuing our organic growth. My father and uncles taught me a lot about gas stations and convenience stores while I continued to seek out other opinions from industry leaders.
“The family put its faith in me, and I want to ensure that am a good steward of our family’s wealth. My goal is to transition this from a traditional family business to a professional family business. I care not only about the success of our operations but about building something that will last for generations — one that successfully survives business, environment and family dynamic changes.”