2025 Sam Johnson Defender of Freedom Award
The 2025 Sam Johnson Defender of Freedom Awardee is Joe DePinto, CEO of 7Eleven.
Awardee – Joe DePinto, CEO of 7Eleven
Mr. Joe DePinto is the CEO of 7-Eleven, Inc. and leads the premier company in convenience retailing. Globally, there are more than 84,000 7-Eleven stores of which some 13,000 stores are in North America. Before being appointed Chief Executive Officer of 7-Eleven, Inc. in 2005, Joe was President of GameStop Corporation. He has also held executive positions at PepsiCo, Inc., and Thornton Oil Corporation. Currently, Joe is a Board Director of 7-Eleven, Inc., Seven & i Holdings Co., Ltd., and is the Chairman of the Board of Brinker International. He also serves on the Board of the Johnny Mac Soldiers Fund. In December 2017, Joe was appointed a Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army. Additionally, Joe is a member of the Board of Advisors for the Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation, the Kellogg School of Management Global Advisory Board, and the Dallas Stars Ownership Advisory Group. A native of Chicago, Illinois, Joe earned a bachelor’s degree in engineering management from the United States Military Academy at West Point and a Master of Business Administration from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.
About Congressman (Colonel) Sam Johnson
Congressman (Colonel) Sam Johnson served his country for nearly 60 years as a military officer, Texas state representative and US Congressman, including 7 years as a prisoner of war in Viet Nam. During his 29 years in the Air Force, Johnson flew 87 combat missions, was a member of the USAF Thunderbirds aerial demonstration team and served as director of the Air Force Fighter Weapons School. Congressman Johnson was a staunch conservative and a consistent advocate for the military and veterans. He was the recipient of two Silver Stars, two Legions of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross, one Bronze Star with Valor, two Purple Hearts, four Air Medals, and three Outstanding Unit Awards. The Defender of Freedom is awarded to an individual who has consistently demonstrated the qualities of patriotism and service embodied by Sam Johnson.
