BUSINESS OPERATIONS
NEWS
� SHARP ENERGY ACQUIRES PROPANE SALES AND DELIVERY BUSINESS OF R . F . OHL
Sharp Energy acquired the propane sales and delivery business of R . F . Ohl , Lehighton , Pa .
“ This acquisition is a strategic fit for our family of businesses and will extend Sharp Energy ’ s reach to new customers , communities and businesses in Pennsylvania ,” Michael P . McMasters , president and chief executive officer of Chesapeake Utilities Corp ., Dover , Del ., the parent company of Sharp Energy , said in an announcement .
R . F . Ohl , a family-owned and operated company founded in 1984 , sold and delivered propane to more than 2,500 residential and commercial propane customers in Carbon , Monroe , Northampton , Lehigh , and Schuylkill counties in Pennsylvania , according to the announcement , issued in December by Cetane Associates , which brokered the deal , along with Angus Finance . Steve Ohl of R . F . Ohl said , “ We made a strategic decision to sell our propane business and focus on our heating oil and HVAC business . Sharp was the perfect fit for us as they do not sell heating oil or provide HVAC service .”
R . F . Ohl will continue to service the HVAC needs of propane customers while Sharp Energy will sell and deliver the propane , according to an announcement on the website of R . F . Ohl .
Sharp Energy is headquartered in Georgetown , Del . It distributes propane to approximately 39,000 residential , commercial and industrial customers in Maryland , Delaware , Virginia and Pennsylvania . It operates four rail facilities and has more than 2.5 million gallons of propane storage .
Sharp Energy is a partner of Alliance AutoGas , a national network of companies that delivers alternative fueling and EPAcertified propane AutoGas vehicle conversions , on-site fueling infrastructure , fuel supply , safety and operational training , and ongoing technical support .
� CARE TO RIDE : MAY 20 AT EASTERN ENERGY EXPO
Once again , the Oil & Energy Service Professionals will be using an online fundraising site to help you seek donations and to help you manage your campaign . Those donating can do so directly by credit card , relieving the burden of collecting money and submitting it to Oil Heat Cares .
A minimum pledge of $ 100 by all individual participants and $ 600 for a team is required . OESP encourages you to enlist the support of friends , family and co-workers , or you may pay the fee on your own . You can ride a motorcycle , bicycle , walk or run , all for a good cause — raising funds for our neighbors in need . The Annual Care to Ride fundraiser has set a goal of $ 25,000 . You can raise money individually or sign up as a team and share that link with your team members .
When you set up your profile , please include a photo of yourself or your team and don ’ t forget to share it on Facebook .
Credit cards are the simplest , but checks may be used if preferred . Checks can be made payable to Oil Heat Cares and mailed to 312 North Avenue East , Suite 5 , Cranford , NJ 07016 or brought to the event on Monday , May 20 , 2019 . Care to Ride is part of the program of activities at the Eastern Energy Expo , at Hershey Lodge , Hershey , Pa .
� PPA SUMMER LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE : JUNE 24-25
The Pennsylvania Petroleum Association announced that its 2019 Summer Leadership Conference will be held June 24-25 at the ICONA Avalon in Avalon , N . J . The event brings together upand-coming leaders in the industry . The format allows attendees to learn , connect , and relax over a two-day conference .
The ICONA Avalon is at 7849 Dune Dr .. A discount room rate of $ 199 per night ( excluding tax and resort fees ) is available for the nights of June 23 through June 27 . The room block is : Pennsylvania Petroleum . Any additional dates will be subject to a higher rate . Contact the ICONA Avalon by phone to secure dates outside of the PPA room block . The hotel phone number is ( 609 ) 368-5155 .
� BERGQUIST HIRES CUSTOMER SUPPORT SPECIALIST FOR REMOTE TANK MONITORING
Wholesale propane equipment distributor Bergquist , Toledo , Ohio , hired Jim Schwartzfisher as customer support specialist for remote tank monitoring , a new position .
Schwartzfisher will field current customer inquiries pertaining to remote tank monitoring , with the goal of providing expertise and facilitating growth for this subdivision throughout the country , the company said .
Schwartzfisher has a background in manufacturing , as well as information technology and sales management , having worked most recently for a regional steel distributor in that capacity . In his previous roles , Schwartzfisher was responsible for set-up and implementation of complex computer systems and software , providing training for users of that Jim Schwartzfisher technology and overseeing the Southwest Michigan sales territory .
Joe Montroy , regional sales manager , said , “ With the evergrowing sector of remote tank monitoring , we wanted to provide a dedicated expert service to our customers , as an increasing number rely on telemetry to streamline business models .”
Schwartzfisher ’ s understanding of remote tank monitoring systems will allow him to cater to specific concerns and questions , with the knowledge to help customers achieve the biggest benefits from the technology . Bergquist has two remote tank monitoring sales specialists who will work closely with Schwartzfisher .
Schwartzfisher will provide customers with training , technology support and proactive guidance geared toward helping users get the best use from current and emerging propane technologies .
“ Remote tank monitoring is not inherently intuitive like
14 FEBRUARY 2019 | FUEL OIL NEWS | www . fueloilnews . com