Wisfe Aish started with nothing more than the need to provide for his family and a willingness to work at whatever job was available. More than three decades later, he runs Double AA Corporation, a California fuel company operating more than 20 gas stations and providing wholesale delivery throughout the Bay Area.

“I had a family to support, and I needed to make sure they were fed and taken care of,” Aish said. “At the time, this industry was what was available to me, and I just put everything I had into doing it well.”

Before founding Double AA Corporation in 1999, Aish worked in paving, grocery stores and restaurants including McDonald’s and KFC. He learned leadership through trial and error in an industry he entered out of necessity.

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From its South San Francisco headquarters, Double AA has built partnerships with Valero, ConocoPhillips and Marathon Petroleum. The company operates gas stations, fleet fueling, wholesale fuel delivery and renewable fuel solutions including BioDiesel and E-85. Under Aish’s leadership, the company has grown into a regional distributor with a significant Bay Area presence.

Wisfe Aish entered the petroleum sector without formal training or connections. When he founded Double AA as a California corporation with himself as CEO, he brought practical knowledge from years of learning fuel distribution from the ground up.

The company now serves commercial and fleet customers requiring reliable fuel supplies on demanding schedules. Double AA’s success is evidence of the trust Aish has built with customers and suppliers over the decades. As tougher environmental rules nudged the fuel business toward greener choices, Double AA started offering BioDiesel and E-85 to give customers options beyond regular gas.

Aish also invests in and develops real estate, using the same eye for lasting value that drives his fuel operation.

Formative Years Shape Wisfe Aish’s Leadership Style

The Columbia Park Boys Club in San Francisco, now the Boys and Girls Club, provided structure during Aish’s youth.

“That place gave me structure and taught me about right and wrong,” Aish says. “They had plaques for ‘boy of the month’ or ‘boy of the year,’ and it motivated us.”

At the Boys Club, Aish figured out that hard work beats raw talent. He wasn’t a natural on the basketball court, but he hustled from the C team all the way to the A team. The experience taught him way more than just how to play.

“It wasn’t just about the game,” Aish says. “They made sure we learned sportsmanship, like always shaking hands after a match and keeping a good attitude. That experience taught me that if someone else can do it, I can too, and that mindset has shaped my approach to business all my life.”

One of Aish’s few regrets is not finishing high school. “If I could go back, I’d tell myself to finish school,” Aish says. “I didn’t finish high school, and later on, when I was growing my company or in meetings, I sometimes felt I couldn’t express myself the way I wanted. That’s why I made it a priority for my kids to finish their education and go to college no matter what.”

Aish’s push to educate the next generation comes from his own life lessons; he wants kids to have chances he never got. While he made it big without a college degree, he recognizes that education provides tools for communication and analysis that can make leadership more effective.

Aish draws inspiration from leaders who demonstrate clarity in communication and decision-making. Willie L. Brown, Jr. the former mayor of San Francisco, has been a particular influence on his thinking about leadership.

“He has this way of breaking down complex situations and explaining them in black and white,” Aish says. “There’s no gray with him. If you don’t understand, he’ll explain it from another angle until you do. That kind of clarity is something I admire and try to bring into my own work.”

Wisfe Aish Builds Trust in a Competitive Market

Wisfe Aish has built his reputation on reliability. He honors agreements even when doing so costs him financially.

“I’ve always believed in helping others,” Aish said. “Early on, if I found a better or cleaner way to do something, I’d share it with the industry. Sometimes it backfired because competitors would use it against me, but it never stopped me from wanting to give without expecting recognition.”

Over the past thirty years, the fuel industry has changed a lot. Prices swing with global markets, rules tighten as environmental policies roll out, and what customers want keeps changing. Aish has stayed ahead by staying flexible while building lasting partnerships.

Double AA’s relationships with Valero, ConocoPhillips and Marathon Petroleum show years of consistent performance and reliable operations. These partnerships give the company reliable suppliers and support from big players in the industry. In return, Double AA has to meet tough standards and stay dependable, something Aish considers essential to how he runs the business.

The company’s expansion into renewable fuels represents a good business opportunity. People want cleaner options now and by offering both traditional petroleum and renewable fuels, Double AA can serve everyone, both customers who stick with conventional products and those looking for greener choices.

Running a big fuel operation means constant stress and jumping on problems the second they pop up. Aish’s approach to stress mirrors his broader philosophy about facing challenges directly.

“You don’t really manage stress,” Aish says. “You deal with it. You face the problem head-on and get it solved. That’s the only way I know.”

Community Work Reflects Personal Experience

Aish supports schools, churches, mosques, sports programs and senior housing. Much of his giving is done anonymously.

“I support a lot of causes,” Aish says. “A lot of times, I give anonymously. I don’t do it for recognition, I just like to help. Kids especially hit home for me. If I see a child in need, I’ll find a way to help.”

His focus on youth reflects his own experience at the Columbia Park Boys Club. By supporting youth programs, he aims to provide others with the kind of structure that shaped his path.

“For me, every act of giving is meaningful,” Aish says. “It makes me feel closer to God and reminds me that I matter to others. That’s why I love to help. Every opportunity leaves a mark on me.”

By funding scholarships and supporting schools, he aims to remove barriers that might prevent students from finishing their education.

Wisfe Aish Measures Success Through Team Performance

Aish measures accomplishments through the performance of people who work with him rather than personal achievements.

“I don’t think I’ll ever reach a point where I say, ‘I’m successful,’” Aish says. “In my mind, there’s always room for improvement. For me, success is measured by how well my team is doing. If they’re thriving, that means I’m doing something right. But personally, I always feel there’s more to achieve.”

That focus has driven Double AA’s growth from its founding to its current position. Rather than becoming satisfied after reaching milestones, Wisfe Aish has continued pushing for expansion. This creates a culture where employee development is valued alongside operational excellence.

With more than 35 years in the petroleum industry and more than two decades as founder and CEO of Double AA Corporation, Aish has built a career spanning multiple economic cycles and regulatory changes. His ability to adapt while maintaining core values has enabled sustained success.

His work in real estate extends his impact beyond fuel distribution. These projects place the same focus on creating long-term value and strengthening communities.

His vision is guided by a belief that entrepreneurship and philanthropy must work together to build stronger communities. Rather than viewing business and charitable work as separate, Aish sees them as interconnected parts of creating opportunities.

The legacy Wisfe Aish is building extends beyond the companies he has created. Through his commitment to supporting youth and funding education, he is working to create opportunities for others similar to those that shaped his development.

Wisfe Aish’s career demonstrates that entrepreneurship born of necessity can evolve into leadership that serves both business goals and community needs. From working whatever jobs were available, through founding and growing Double AA Corporation into a regional fuel distributor operating more than 20 stations throughout the Bay Area, to his current work as an entrepreneur and philanthropist, he has maintained focus on doing what needs to be done while helping others.

As Aish continues to lead Double AA Corporation and pursue ventures in real estate and renewable energy, his focus remains on creating value for customers, employees and communities. His belief that there is always room for improvement ensures that even after decades of success, he continues pushing forward.