� STUCK ENTERPRISES ACQUIRES BARBER OIL
Stuck Enterprises , Waynesburg , Pa ., acquired Barber Oil & Propane Co . of Ebensburg , Pa ., announced Cetane Associates , which advised Barber Oil on the sale . The transaction closed on Aug . 8 .
Established in 1966 by Dick Barber , Barber Oil began as a wholesale commission agent for Mobil Oil and evolved into a family-owned fuel sales and delivery business . The next generation of the Barber family took leadership positions in the company in 1985 . Barber Oil grew through multiple acquisitions in the early 2000s . Initially focusing on heating oil , the company later ventured into propane with the installation of large tanks and additional acquisitions . Today , Jim and Rich Barber represent the third generation of the family to manage Barber Oil , which serves a wide area across central Pennsylvania .
Stuck Enterprises is the parent company of Jacobs Petroleum Products , Oakland Oil & Propane , Bedford Valley Petroleum & Propane , Stuck Retail , Stuck ’ s Fleet Fueling and the Deep Creek Fireplace & Outdoor Store . Stuck also owns Deep Creek Mountain Utilities as well as multiple commercial real estate holdings . Stuck Enterprises serves Pennsylvania , Maryland , West Virginia , and Ohio .
� SANDRI NAMES CERNAK VP ; PROMOTES HERZIG
Sandri Energy , Greenfield , Mass ., announced the appointment of Leslie Cernak as vice president of operations , overseeing the heating fuels , commercial fuels , mechanical
Leslie Cernak
services , and clean burn divisions . Cernak brings more than 36 years of experience in the fuel oil and propane industry . Previously , she served as vice president and treasurer at Cernak Fuel Corp . in Easthampton , Mass ., until its acquisition by HOP Energy in 2018 , where she continued to contribute in compliance and legal support roles .
Cernak also serves as events chairperson on the executive board of directors for the National Energy and Fuels Institute .
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
SEPTEMBER
Southern New England Energy Conference Sept . 23-24 Newport Marriott Newport , R . I . Website : www . sneec . weebly . com
OCTOBER
PPA Fall Energy Conference & Annual Meeting Oct . 15-17 Lancaster Marriott at Penn Square Lancaster , Pennsylvania Website : www . papetroleum . org
She recently earned a master ’ s degree from the University of Oklahoma College of Law for legal studies in energy and natural resource law .
Sandri Energy also announced the promotion of Rudy Herzig to manager of HVAC , plumbing , sales , and service . For the past several years , he has been in a service manager support role . Herzig started with Sandri
Rudy Herzig
in 2003 , became a licensed oil burner technician in 2004 , and advanced to the position of lead installer , where one of his specialties is troubleshooting heating and cooling system issues .
� WHITE PAPER ISSUED ON TANK MONITORING
Otodata , in collaboration with Gray , Gray & Gray , published a white paper titled , “ Tank Monitoring : A Win-Win for Fuel Companies and Customers .”
A link to the three-page white paper can be found at the Otodata website : www . otodatatankmonitors . com .
The white paper notes that , according to Gray , Gray & Gray ’ s 2023 Energy & Propane Survey , more than 72 % of propane dealers offer tank monitoring to their customers ( at an average per tank fee of $ 54.32 ) and just over 36 % of heating oil dealers offer the same service ( at an average fee of $ 26.53 ).
� OBITUARY : RICH ALDEN
Richard James Alden of Rindge , N . H ., an advertising and sales representative for Fuel Oil News and other publications , died on July 4 after a two-year battle with cancer . He was 68 .
Richard Alden
Owner of Alden Sales , he worked as an advertising and sales representative for 34 years before retiring in 2022 . His honesty and diligence resulted in lasting friendships with colleagues and customers alike . His survivors include Laurie ( Drischell ) Alden , his wife of 42 years .
Alden was a 1974 graduate of Corcoran High School in Syracuse , N . Y ., and graduated from St . Bonaventure University , Olean , N . Y ., in 1978 with a Bachelor ’ s Degree in Business Administration Management .
In addition to spending time with his family , his passions included Formula 1 racing , sports cars , building models , and classic rock music . He was an avid supporter of St . Bonaventure basketball and a lifelong New England sports fan , even from his early days growing up in Syracuse .
Alden served as treasurer of Advent Lutheran Church in Rindge and as a deacon at the United Church of Jaffrey , N . H . He coached athletic teams through Rindge Youth Athletic Association , and supported and volunteered in the Meals on Wheels program .
In addition to his wife , he is survived by a daughter , Elaine Alden Smith ( James ) and grandchildren Jolene , Alden , and Kieran Smith of Celbridge , Ireland ; a son , Nathaniel ( Anna Lee Franklin ) of Hanson , Mass .; a sister , Janet Alden of Port Charlotte , Fla .; and a brother , Robert Alden of Birmingham , Ala . In lieu of flowers , donations in his memory to United Church of Jaffrey or to St . Bonaventure University are requested .
“ Rich was a great guy to work with ,” said Fuel Oil News ’ associate publisher , Dave Campbell . Steve Bennett , Fuel Oil News ’ editor , said , “ Rich was a gentleman , a pleasure to work with , and always in a good humor .”
6 SEPTEMBER 2024 | FUEL OIL NEWS | www . fueloilnews . com