In 1967, Ralph Higgins, along with several business associates, founded Minit Mart Foods Stores in Hopkinsville, Kentucky. Their business philosophy was to provide grocery and other sundry items to people in a convenient and profitable manner. This service was well received, and allowed the opening of 17 new stores through 1971. In 1972, Minit Mart Foods, Inc. was formed by consolidation of the 18 existing stores. The combined Company had 75 employees and gross sales of $4.8 million dollars when it was leased in April 2001.

Ralph Higgins, Co-founder of Minit Mart Foods, Inc., played an active role in the management of the company until his death in 1987. A year later, Minit Mart was operating 87 stores in Kentucky and Tennessee. O’Deli’s Sub Shops, Godfather’s Pizza, Taco Bell Express and Baskin Robbins Ice Cream were part of army locations – grossing $250 million dollars annually and employing approximately 1,200 people.

After losing is wife of 25 years to a 20-year battle with cancer in 1998 and the industry consolidation in 1999 and 2000, Fred and the management team felt it was time to make a change. In April 2001, Minit Mart Foods leased its operations to Clark Retail Enterprises, retaining ownership of the assets. Besides operating their original 600 stores, Clark also acquired several other chains in the Midwest area, growing to approximately 1200 stores. Competition however was intense, and Clark eventually ended up in bankruptcy in October 2002, 37 stores were returned to Minit Mart in August 2003.

On August 6, 2003, Fred’s Minit Mart LLC was set up to take over the operation of the stores. Soon after, 34 stores remained, and a brilliant management team was assembled.

Today, the stores are a combination of convenience and grocery shopping while featuring Marathon gasoline, offering O’Deli’s Sub Shops and Godfather’s Pizza.

Fred has been actively involved in the management of the convenience stores since he returned from service in 1971, . He currently is the Manager of Girkin Development, LLC, which operates 30 convenience stores in Kentucky and Tennessee.

Fred received his BA from Centre College in 1965 and his JD from the UK Law School in 1968. He served in the U.S. Army from 1968-1971. During August 1971, he received the Army Commendation Medal for Meritorious service and outstanding duty while assigned as a Special Agend for the U.S. Army Intelligence Command. After discharge from the Army, he joined Minit Mart Foods, Inc.

Fred has served on several Boards:

· National Association of Convenience Stores – Past Chairman 1995-1996. Served a three-year term on the Board of Directors of NACS. Served on the Executive Committee for Finance and Membership as Vice Chairman. Past Chairman of the Education Committee. Past Chairman of the Loss Control Committee.

· Bluegrass YPO Chapter – Member, International Young Presidents’ Organization since 1978. Past Chairman, Treasurer, and Education for the Chapter.

· World President’s Orgainzation – Member, 1994 to present

· Centre College – Past member of Board of Trustees. Past National Chairman of the Isaac Shelby Society.

· Bowling Green Municipal Utilities – Member of Board of Directors, 1993-1996.

· Miller Enterprises – Past member of Board of Directors, 1994-1998.

· First Federal Savings and Loan Association – Member of Board of Directors 1978-1992. Past  Vice-Chairman of Board of Directors in Bowling Green.

· Buckhorn Children’s Center – Past Chairman of the Board.

· Kentucky Grocers Association – Past member of Board of Directors.

· Kentucky Retail Federation – Past member of Board of Directors.

· Bowling Green, KY Kids on the Block – Past Chairman of Board of Directors, past member of Board of Directors.

· Board of Adjustments – Served on Board of Adjustments for the City of Bowling Green and Warren County for eight years. Served as Chairman of the Board for two years.

· Junior Achievement – Past member of Board of Directors.

· Commonwealth Health Foundation Board, 2001-Present.

Fred has received numerous awards:

· Spirit of America Award 1989 presented by the National Grocers Association.

· Citizen of the Year 1990 presented by Bowling Green Lions Club.

· Outstanding Business Person of the Year Award 1991 – presented by Delta Sigma Phi International Fraternity.

· Entrepreneur of the Year Award 1995 – Retail sponsored nationally by Inc. magazine, and Merrill Lynch. Local sponsors: Brown, Todd & Heyburn and Business First.

· Bowling Green High School’s Hall of Fame 1995.

· Kentucky Grocer of the Year Award 1996 presented by Kentucky Grocers Association.

· Junior Achievement’s Business Hall of Fame 1996.

Fred and his wife Kathy have been married for eight years. He has five children and eleven grandchildren. Fred attends The Presbyterian Church in Bowling Green where he serves as an Elder.

Fred’s special ambition is to make a difference.