Maverik Donates $250,000 to Warrior Rising in Celebration of America's 250th, Fueling Veteran Entrepreneurship Nationwide
Convenience retail leader’s gift honors the entrepreneurial spirit at the heart of America, with a culminating pitch competition set for November
PHOTO of Maverik’s check presentation to Warrior Rising in front of Maverik’s 250th store in West Valley, UT is available for download HERE.
Pictured in the photo: Left to Right Maverik District Manager Troy Child, Regional Manager Trish Merrill, Warrior Rising Chief Financial Officer Chris Bager, Maverik’s President and Chief Operating Officer John Hillam, Warrior Rising Executive Director Jason Van Camp, Vetrepreneur and Owner of Grind Goods Roger Gindlesperger Jr, Warrior RIsing Board Members Jackie Hobson and Tyrell Gray, and Executive Director of the Call to Action Foundation Kathleen Pitcher Tobey.
SALT LAKE CITY — June 30, 2026 — Maverik — Adventure’s First Stop today announced a $250,000 donation to Warrior Rising, a national nonprofit that helps veterans and their families achieve the American dream through entrepreneurship. As the nation prepares to celebrate its 250th anniversary, the gift honors the entrepreneurial drive that has defined America for two and a half centuries.
The donation reflects a shared belief between the two organizations: that ownership, initiative, and an entrepreneurial mindset build stronger people and stronger communities.
“My dad, Jay Call, opened his first Maverik in Willard, Utah in 1960. He built the business on an entrepreneurial spirit and a belief in the power of hard work and personal ownership. Today, as a family-owned company with more than 16,000 Team Members across more than 830 stores, we’re proud to carry those values forward by empowering our people to think like business owners and serve their customers with pride every day. That’s why partnering with Warrior Rising is such a natural fit - we’re investing in veterans who share that same drive to build something meaningful for themselves, their families and their communities,” said Maverik’s Chief Executive Officer Crystal Maggelet.
Building on its longstanding support of education, affordable housing, and local hunger relief, Maverik chose to celebrate America’s 250th with a milestone investment in veteran entrepreneurs - individuals who embody the country’s enduring spirit of initiative, resilience and enterprise.
“This gift is about more than a number. It’s a vote of confidence in every veteran who has the courage to bet on themselves,” said Jason B.A. Van Camp, founder of Warrior Rising. “Maverik understands what it means to build something from the ground up, and that’s exactly what our veterans set out to do every single day. In the same vein of teaching a man to fish rather than giving him one, Warrior Rising doesn’t give a veteran one good day. We give them the opportunity to have one great life.”
A culminating pitch competition in November
Warrior Rising is a fast growing non-profit in the U.S. and Maverik’s donation will support Warrior Rising’s signature programming efforts, including a veteran pitch competition this November. Joey Hobson, Maverik’s Chief Marketing Officer, will serve on the veteran business judging panel on November 18, evaluating veteran-owned businesses competing for a share of the grant funding. Tom Schofield, President of FJ Management, Maverik’s parent company, will present the awards on stage at The Capitol Theater in Salt Lake City on November 19 before an audience of more than 2,000 veterans, entrepreneurs, and supporters.
The event will spotlight veteran entrepreneurs at various stages of building durable businesses, capping a year of celebration around American enterprise and the 250th anniversary of the nation’s founding.
About Warrior Rising
Founded in 2015, Warrior Rising is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit started by veterans, for veterans and their immediate families, so they can find their purpose again and build their own version of the American dream through entrepreneurship. Since inception, Warrior Rising has helped more than 60,000 veterans start or accelerate their businesses. Learn more at warriorrising.org or follow the company on Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn.
About Maverik — Adventure’s First Stop
Maverik — Adventure’s First Stop operates more than 830 convenience stores across 20 states, from the Midwest to the West Coast, and is headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah. Known for fueling adventures and delivering an elevated convenience experience, Maverik offers great value on fuel, fresh food and beverages, and everyday essentials. Approximately 16,000 Team Members support Maverik’s operations across its footprint. For more information, visit maverik.com or follow the company on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or YouTube.
Media Contact:
Em Bilodeau
[email protected]