KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — For the first time in 65 years, a Haslam is not at the helm of Knoxville-based Pilot Travel Centers.
In January, the Haslam family sold off their remaining share—after growing the fuel and travel center company into the fifth largest private company in America. Berkshire Hathaway bought Pilot for more than $10 billion.
Jim Haslam recently sat down with WBIR to discuss the sale.
"It is a little bittersweet that we don't own or run Pilot anymore. But the time had come for us to move on. What I really feel is—really proud we have been able to, in East Tennessee, develop a brand that is nationwide," Haslam said.
The businessman and philanthropist also reminisced about Pilot's early days.
He bought his first gas station in 1958 in Gate City, Virginia. Haslam, who played football at the University of Tennessee, attributes the company's success, in part, to the lessons learned from legendary coach General Robert Neyland.
"We had to get the best people to work in the stores. We have to train them," Haslam said. "We have to put them in the right place. We have to have an overall game plan and we have to perform 24/7—so it is no different than football."
You can watch the full interview below.