Fuel. For most, it’s a commodity. For Dexter Riley, it was always something more, an enabler of movement, of ambition, of national growth. From the start of his 25-year journey through oil and gas, international trade, and manufacturing, he saw energy not just as infrastructure but as a powerful connector between people and possibility.

A Career Rooted in Purpose

Dexter, Chief Executive Officer at UnitedIndependent Petroleum Marketing Company, has built an impressive 25-year career across oil & gas, international trade, and manufacturing. From his early days in the downstream energy sector, Dexter was driven not just by business potential but by a desire to create meaningful impact, to build, uplift, and lead with purpose.

He recalls how the energy sector became more than just an industry to him; it was about "fueling possibilities, connecting communities, and catalyzing national development." His journey wasn’t linear. It included regional and international roles at a leading industrial manufacturing group and a multinational oil & gas service company, where every challenge became a crucible for growth.

Along the way, setbacks, including a failed bid at another energy services firm, sharpened his understanding of resilience, relationships, and long-term vision. His eventual move to UNIPET was more than a career shift;it was a values alignment. Dexter saw a company rich with potential, built on mature systems in a regulated market. To him, UNIPET was a canvas; his diverse experiences and leadership approach, the brushstrokes.

People-First Revolution at UNIPET

When Dexter stepped into the CEO role at UNIPET in December 2015, he encountered a company at a pivotal juncture. The organization faced uneconomic margins, escalating levies, and an internal culture in need of renewed vision and unity. His initial goal was bold but clear: rebuild trust, ignite belief, and usher in a new era of modernization and purpose.

He started with people. Dexter opened communication channels, fostered inclusivity, and created a leadership style that valued empowerment over command. “Leadership,” he maintains, “is about amplifying the quietest voice until it resonates with purpose-driven innovation.”

His vision evolved. Today, under Dexter’s stewardship, UNIPET has transformed from a traditional energy provider into an internationally focused, technology-driven ecosystem. The company has embraced renewable energy, integrated big data and AI, and adopted a triple bottom line strategy, investing in people, planet, and profit.

Dexter remains grounded in his purpose: delivering and protecting long-term stakeholder value.

Building a Bold Private-Sector Legacy in Energy

Disrupting a state monopoly is a formidable task, and in the context of Trinidad & Tobago’s energy sector, it meant confronting entrenched systems, navigating institutional inertia, and withstanding serious financial headwinds. Dexter recalls that the obstacles often seemed insurmountable, ranging from delayed payments and outdated pricing models to widespread public skepticism.

Yet, through it all, UNIPET’s strength lay in its people and its core values. Dexter emphasizes that transparency, agility, and ethical leadership were crucial in weathering these storms. The company forged strategic partnerships, upgraded its operations, and implemented technologies that delivered more efficiency with fewer resources.

A cornerstone of UNIPET’s success was the transformation of its internal culture. From the warehouse floor to the executive suite, Dexter and his leadership team cultivated a mindset of excellence. Training, mentorship, and opportunities for internal mobility created a dynamic environment where talent could thrive. He proudly recounts the journeys of individuals who began as interns or front desk clerks and rose to lead multiple portfolios.

Ultimately, UNIPET didn’t just change a business model;it shifted a national mindset. It proved that a Caribbean private enterprise could innovate boldly, compete effectively, and become a model for transformative leadership.

Innovating Toward a Sustainable Energy Future

Under Dexter’s leadership, UNIPET is not merely reacting to the global energy transition—it is actively shaping it. The company has evolved from a traditional downstream fuel distributor into a future-ready, innovation-driven enterprise focused on sustainability and technology.

One of the most visible milestones in this journey is the Brentwood service station—Trinidad and Tobago’s first solar-powered service station and the English-speaking Caribbean’s first public EV charging hub. It’s a tangible symbol of UNIPET’s commitment to clean energy and regional leadership.

Dexter and his team have championed the rapid expansion of UNIPET’s electric vehicle charging network through its U-Charge initiative, aiming to install dozens of EV chargers nationwide. These are supported by a mobile application that offers real-time data on charger availability, usage, and seamless payment integration.

The innovation extends into fintech, with the growth of UNIPET’s subsidiary, Convenience Pay Technologies Ltd. The team has developed a fully integrated digital ecosystem that ties together RFID fuel payments, IoT-enabled EV infrastructure, AI-driven analytics, and customer-centric mobile platforms. This holistic strategy not only optimizes operational efficiency but also redefines the customer experience across the entire UNIPET network.

Aligned with global benchmarks, UNIPET’s sustainability approach is grounded in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, especially SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and SDG 13 (Climate Action), and is reinforced by independently audited sustainability reporting.

For Dexter and the UNIPET team, the message is clear: UNIPET is not adapting—it’s leading. Through bold decisions, future-focused investments, and a values-based ethos, the company is setting a new standard for energy enterprises in the Caribbean.

Reimagining the Service Station

UNIPET’s diversification into convenience retail and auto care was a deliberate move by Dexter and his team to enhance the customer journey and reflect changing consumer lifestyles. The vision was clear: transform the traditional service station into a comprehensive lifestyle hub, offering more than just fuel.

Today, UNIPET’s 24/7 convenience stores are community staples. Stocked with everything from everyday essentials to specialty items, these retail outlets are designed to deliver convenience, quality, and comfort in a single visit. According to Dexter, they are not mere add-ons, but carefully curated experiences crafted to meet customers’ evolving expectations.

The team’s commitment extends to UNIPET’s Auto Care product line. With high-performance offerings like fuel injector cleaners, octane boosters, and car care products, customers are empowered to maintain their vehicles using trusted, branded solutions—available right where they need them.

Tying it all together is UNIPET’s fintech subsidiary, Convenience Pay Technologies Ltd., which enables seamless digital payments across all touchpoints. Whether fueling up, shopping, or servicing a vehicle, the experience is designed to be fast, secure, and hassle-free.

For Dexter and the UNIPET team, this customer-centric, digitally-enabled ecosystem is more than a convenience, it’s a reflection of their drive to turn routine stops into rewarding experiences, underscoring their commitment to innovation, community, and lasting value.

Catalyzing Culture for a Digital-First Future
Early in Dexter’s tenure as CEO, UNIPET faced one of the most pivotal challenges in its history. The downstream energy industry was under immense pressure, and UNIPET itself stood at a crossroads, not just economically, but institutionally. The company’s internal systems and cultural frameworks were misaligned with the strategic vision it needed to embrace.

Recognizing the urgency, Dexter led a bold and transformative restructuring of the organization. The leadership team flattened parts of the management hierarchy and introduced agile, cross-functional teams. This wasn’t simply an operational adjustment—it was a fundamental cultural shift. Employees were encouraged to explore new roles; some transitioned into unexpected leadership positions, while others chose to step aside. The transformation demanded courage and empathy, as it was rooted not in logistics but in human change.

This reorganization proved essential. Holding on to legacy silos would have jeopardized UNIPET’s ambition to become a digital-first, customer-centric enterprise. Instead, the company emerged more agile, responsive, and collaborative. The transformation laid the groundwork for the digital and sustainability advancements that now define UNIPET’s trajectory.

Embedding Core Values into Culture and Operations
At the heart of UNIPET’s progress under Dexter’s leadership is a deep commitment to living its core values: Unique, Quality, Ethics, Safety, and One-Team—collectively known as UQUEST. These values are not aspirational—they are the fabric of UNIPET’s daily operations. Whether in recruitment, strategic planning, or frontline interactions, UQUEST defines how the organization functions.

Dexter has championed the integration of values into every level of the company. Every initiative begins with a single guiding question: “What makes this uniquely UNIPET?” This mindset has inspired industry-first innovations, including the Caribbean’s first solar-powered service station and a national EV charging network, both managed through UNIPET’s proprietary digital platforms.

A dedicated Process Excellence Playbook ensures quality standards are met in real time—from fuel purity to app responsiveness. Meanwhile, live town halls and open communication channels empower frontline staff to contribute directly to strategic direction, reinforcing a bottom-up culture of accountability and transparency.

Recognition moments in meetings celebrate employees who exemplify UQUEST values—whether through excellence or learning moments. Here, leadership is measured by actions, not titles.

Complementing UQUEST are the I–CA²RE virtues—Inclusion, Communication, Alignment, Accountability, Respect, and Empathy. These principles shape how teams collaborate, support each other, and lead through both triumphs and challenges. From internships to company-wide events like Family & Sports Day, these values cultivate a strong, resilient, and united workforce.

Leveraging Technology to Drive Innovation and Connection
Dexter’s vision has positioned UNIPET as more than an energy provider—it is now a digitally driven innovation hub. Under his leadership, and with the dedication of his team, technology is not treated merely as a tool for efficiency, but as a catalyst for reinvention and a deeper connection with customers and communities.

Through Convenience Pay Technologies Ltd., Dexter and his team have developed a seamless digital ecosystem encompassing RFID fueling, mobile-first experiences, EV charging, intelligent loyalty programs, and contactless payments. These innovations are designed to eliminate friction and anticipate customer needs, delivering consistent, intuitive experiences.

One of their standout achievements is the U-Charge mobile app, purpose-built for EV drivers. It allows users to locate charging stations, monitor usage, and complete transactions in real time, ushering in a smarter, cleaner mobility future.

Internally, the UNIPET team leverages AI, machine learning, and real-time data analytics to optimize asset performance and personalize customer journeys. This infrastructure enables rapid adaptation, scalable value delivery, and a customer-first mindset across the organization.

For Dexter and his team, digital transformation is not about adopting technology for its own sake—it’s about elevating human experiences. By placing people at the center of innovation, UNIPET continues its evolution from a traditional fuel company to a purpose-driven energy and fintech enterprise built for the future.

Applying Global Lessons to Drive Strategic Growth

Drawing on extensive leadership experience across the Caribbean and international markets such as Scotland and Tanzania, Dexter has applied key insights from these environments to shape UNIPET’s long-term strategy. One of the most enduring lessons he and his team brought back was the importance of designing businesses for resilience and scalability from day one.

These global perspectives instilled a systems-thinking approach, building processes that don’t merely serve today’s needs, but are inherently future-ready. At UNIPET, this mindset translated into early investments by Dexter and his team in modular digital infrastructure, laying the foundation for the company’s seamless expansion into energy data analytics and integrated convenience services.

Moreover, the team witnessed firsthand how emerging markets can leapfrog traditional infrastructure challenges through renewable energy and digital platforms. These experiences now inform UNIPET’s solar energy initiatives and EV-readiness strategies, developed specifically for local and regional applications.

As for geographical expansion, Dexter and his team are unequivocal: the potential is not only present—it’s actively being pursued. UNIPET is exploring partnerships and licensing opportunities across CARICOM and beyond. Its blended modelmerging energy, fintech, and retail solutions into a single brandhas already attracted interest from international stakeholders. For Dexter and his team, this is just the beginning of UNIPET’s regional and global evolution.

The Leadership Lesson That Shapes a Culture

For Dexter, the most valuable leadership lesson has been the power of intentional development—identifying potential early and nurturing it with trust, accountability, and exposure to opportunity. This philosophy was shaped not only by his mentors but also by observing the transformative impact that belief and responsibility can have on individuals.

At UNIPET, Dexter has institutionalized this lesson. Every employee, regardless of their role, from logistics to finance to frontline service, is seen as a future leader. Leadership is not confined to titles; it is expressed through action, initiative, and character.

To reinforce this belief, UNIPET has implemented structured mentorship, cross-functional project exposure, and dynamic talent mobility. Knowledge is shared openly, and leadership readiness is cultivated through real-time engagement, not deferred until some abstract future milestone.

Dexter’s leadership ethos is rooted in daily practice: developing leaders by treating them as such now, not later. The culture he’s built ensures that leadership isn’t a destination; it’s a discipline embedded across every level of the organization.

Building a Human-Centered Energy Future

Dexter and his team see UNIPET not only as a business but as a catalyst for transformation, both in the energy sector and in the lives of the people it touches. Over the next five years, they envision UNIPET completing its evolution into a blended energy company, one that serves transportation, commercial, and residential sectors with affordable, cleaner, and smarter energy solutions.

Central to this vision is UNIPET’s role in enabling new forms of prosperity—particularly for those in the gig economy, through innovations in renewable energy, financial technology, and data-driven services. The team aims to position UNIPET as a sustainable impact business, one that de-risks the climate while generating economic value and advancing global goals like SDGs 1, 7, 11, 13, and 17.

The roadmap includes deepening partnerships with academic institutions, fostering tech-enabled entrepreneurship, and driving energy transition efforts across Trinidad and Tobago and the wider Caribbean.

But for Dexter, legacy isn’t defined by revenue or expansion alone; it’s about people. He and his team are committed to cultivating a generation of purpose-driven leaders within UNIPET and the broader ecosystem, leaders who embrace collaboration over competition and believe in building rather than blaming.

If, five years from now, UNIPET has played a role in creating energy-secure communities, empowering change-makers, and shifting cultural mindsets toward shared responsibility and collective progress, then Dexter will consider his legacy not just one of leadership—but one of lasting, human-centered impact.