Chairman of the Board (Wawa)

Art of Bronze was honored to create this distinguished life-size bronze statue of Dick Wood, former Chairman and CEO of Wawa Corporation, whose visionary leadership helped transform Wawa into one of America’s most admired and beloved convenience store brands. Installed in the Dick Wood Lobby at Wawa’s corporate headquarters in Media, Pennsylvania, this commemorative sculpture serves as a lasting tribute to a leader whose influence continues to shape the company’s culture and values.

The sculpture portrays Mr. Wood in a relaxed and welcoming stance, greeting employees and visitors with the warm smile for which he was well known. Expertly sculpted with exceptional attention to detail, he is dressed in classic business attire featuring dress slacks, a collared shirt, necktie, and a suit jacket casually draped over his right shoulder. His natural posture conveys the approachable leadership style that inspired generations of Wawa associates.

One of the sculpture’s most meaningful design elements is the bronze Wawa milk crate supporting Mr. Wood’s raised left foot. This thoughtful feature pays tribute to Wawa’s origins as a family-owned dairy business, honoring the company’s rich history while connecting its humble beginnings to its remarkable growth and success.

In his left hand, Mr. Wood holds a bronze pamphlet permanently engraved with Column One, the guiding principles that continue to define Wawa’s workplace culture and commitment to its associates, customers, and communities. This symbolic detail reinforces the enduring values that remain at the heart of the organization.

A particularly unique feature of the sculpture is the specially designed lapel on the jacket, which allows authentic Wawa Core Value pins to be attached and changed throughout the year. Employees proudly rotate the six different Core Value pins, creating an interactive tribute that reflects the company’s ongoing commitment to the principles Mr. Wood championed throughout his career.

Cast using the traditional lost-wax bronze process and finished with a durable hand-applied patina, this life-size monument exemplifies Figure Company’s dedication to creating meaningful commemorative sculptures that tell a story. The Dick Wood statue stands not only as a portrait of an exceptional leader but also as a lasting symbol of integrity, innovation, service, and the culture that has made Wawa one of America’s most respected companies.

Richard D. ‘Dick’ Wood, Jr.

In 1977, Richard D. ‘Dick’ Wood, Jr. (Grahame’s second cousin, b. 1938) became president of Wawa Food Markets, and CEO in 1981. Dick Wood presided over Wawa’s growth during the 1980s and 1990s, which included adding coffee to the stores’; expanding the line of hoagies and other food service products introducing technological innovations to product control, store management, and foodservice; and adding gasoline pumps to many stores.  Mr. Wood retired as CEO of company in 2004 and retired as chairman in 2020.