For nearly 40 years, James T. Marston—fondly known as “Jimmy”—has been an integral part of Gulf Distributing’s story. As a proud family-owned and operated business, Gulf values fostering leadership and growth from within. Jimmy’s career exemplifies this commitment, beginning on the night crew in the warehouse and progressing through nearly every role in the company. Today, as Chief Commercial Officer, he holds the unique honor of being the first and only non-family member to serve on the Gulf board. His story is one of growth, loyalty, and a commitment to Gulf’s values and people.
Looking back on his journey, Jimmy reflects on the unique culture Gulf has cultivated over the years. “The strength of our family culture is really important. I think that our new leadership structure and increased wages across multiple departments position us well to continue our growth trajectory. And, right now, we have a lot of momentum with our brand portfolio.” This culture of family and support, combined with the hard work of talented employees, has driven Gulf’s success—and Jimmy has been at the heart of it. After building a reputation for excellence in the sales department, he was promoted to senior sales manager and then to Chief Operating Officer, a role he held for more than a decade. Now, as Chief Commercial Officer, Jimmy oversees Gulf’s sales and marketing divisions, and he will continue to expand the brand portfolio and strengthen supplier relationships.
For Jimmy, Gulf’s culture also means fostering an environment where growth is accessible to all employees. “Opportunities within the company are open to all employees at all locations,” he says. “We have a lot of opportunities for upward mobility across different departments and geographies.” This open-door approach has made Gulf a place where people feel empowered to learn, grow, and take on new challenges. Jimmy believes in the power of hands-on experience: “There’s nothing better than on-the-job training, especially if you’ve got a good manager.” These values are what have enabled Gulf to thrive and remain a strong competitor in the industry.
Under Jimmy’s guidance, Gulf has consistently excelled, winning dozens of supplier awards and setting new standards of achievement. But for Jimmy, each year brings fresh motivation. “There’s something to celebrate every year in every market,” he says, always eager to recognize Gulf’s successes. He believes that a leader’s enthusiasm is crucial to driving a company forward. “If you’re at the top, you have to show that you’re enthused about the future,” he notes. His optimism and vision have kept Gulf moving forward, and his excitement about what’s next is contagious to his team and colleagues.
Today, Jimmy and his wife, Kaileigh, enjoy life in Theodore, Alabama, where they spend cherished time with their children and grandchildren. As he looks forward to Gulf’s next chapter, Jimmy is confident that Gulf’s family-oriented culture, industry leadership, and ongoing momentum will continue to thrive.
