Archive for category: Press Releases

VERONA, VA – June 11, 2018 – Dixie Gas and Oil Corporation, a leading provider of propane and petroleum products in Western and Central Virginia, announced today that Christopher C. Earhart, the Company’s president, was installed as Chairman of the National Propane Gas Association (NPGA) on June 4, 2018.  He will serve in this capacity for a one-year term.

“Chris brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the chairman role with more than 40 years of service in the industry,” said Richard Roldan, NPGA president and chief executive officer.  “He has served in numerous capacities on the NPGA Board of Directors, including chair of the Member Services Committee and member of the Executive Committee.  We look forward to working with Chris in the coming year.”

During his time as chairman, Mr. Earhart plans to focus on leveraging the resources of the national associations, NPGA and the Propane Education Research Council (PERC), for the benefit of the member marketers in the many state propane gas associations and to develop more aggressive and proactive marketing efforts to promote propane – a clean, safe energy source.

“Involvement with the NPGA has been important to Dixie and an important part of my career over the years,” said Mr. Earhart.  “Through this affiliation, I’ve developed many wonderful and lasting relationships with many in the propane industry.  It is truly an honor for me to serve as chairman and I look forward to meeting with members during travels to the many state association meetings.”

About Dixie Gas and Oil

Dixie Gas and Oil Corporation, founded in 1946 and headquartered in Verona, Virginia, is a leading provider of propane and petroleum products to residential, commercial, agricultural and industrial customers in Western and Central Virginia.  Products include propane, gas fireplaces and accessories, heating oil, kerosene, diesel fuel, gasoline and a full range of bulk and packaged lubricants distributed from locations in Verona, Elkton, Lexington and Covington, Virginia. Detailed information about Dixie Gas & Oil is available at dixie-staging.stage2.estlandhosting.com.

About the National Propane Gas Association

The National Propane Gas Association (NPGA) is the national trade association representing the U.S. propane industry. NPGA membership includes small businesses and large corporations engaged in the retail marketing of propane gas and appliances; producers and wholesalers of propane equipment; manufacturers and distributors of propane gas appliances and equipment; fabricators of propane gas cylinders and tanks; and propane transporters.  With a membership of approximately 2,800 companies in all 50 states, 38 affiliated state or regional associations, and members in 19 foreign countries, NPGA represents every segment of the propane industry.

Discusses current and proposed regulations impacting the propane industry

Verona, VA – November 28, 2017 – Congressman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) visited Dixie Gas and Oil Corporation’s headquarters facility in Verona, Virginia this morning.  As part of a tour of the Company’s operations, equipment was displayed to illustrate how certain current and proposed federal regulations impact propane marketers, like Dixie.

Chris Earhart, president of Dixie Gas and Oil, highlighted the many safety and operator enhancements that have been made in trucking equipment and highway systems over the years to show how the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) 100 air-mile radius regulation has become outdated. Also, related to proposed Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations for crane operation, Dixie boom trucks used to load and unload propane tanks were shown.  The proposed regulation would place the same requirements on this type small equipment as it does on large construction cranes, and an exemption for these low-weight, low-height boom trucks is being sought.

“I’m always pleased to visit with companies in Sixth District and learn more about their operations,” said Congressman Goodlatte. “Smaller companies like Dixie provide millions of jobs in the United States. They are critical to our nation’s economy and are drivers of innovation here in Virginia and throughout the country.  It’s important for Washington to understand the impact government regulations can have on businesses in the real world, and we need to do all we can to promote the growth of small businesses by freeing them from unnecessary regulation. I’ve been working on legislation in the House to lessen the burden of federal red tape, and hope that Congress will act to provide small businesses with much-needed regulatory and tax relief.”

Along with several members of the Dixie staff, also attending were Debbie Garrett, Congressman Goodlatte’s district director, and Philip Squair, senior vice-president of public and government affairs for the National Propane Gas Association (NPGA). Dixie’s Chris Earhart currently serves as chairman-elect for NPGA and will assume the role of chairman for a one-year term beginning in June 2018.

“We were delighted to host Congressman Goodlatte here at Dixie,” said Mr. Earhart.  “Some government regulations may be well-intentioned, but many do not universally apply or make sense for companies of all sizes in all industries.  We appreciate the Congressman taking his time to see our operations and to discuss how certain regulations impact the propane industry.”

Local Students Awarded Dixie’s Annual “Buddy Harris” Scholarship

VERONA, VA – May 24, 2017 – Each year, Dixie Gas & Oil recognizes the outstanding achievement and work ethic of a student at Valley Career and Technical Center (VCTC) by awarding a scholarship in memory of Buddy Harris, a long-time Dixie employee.  At the center’s 2017 Recognition Ceremony on May 16, 2017, this year’s scholarship was presented to Derrike Hunsberger.

Mr. Hunsberger, a senior at Riverheads High School, completed the Electricity program at the Technical Center this year.  He is the son of Jeffrey and Kimberly Hunsberger of Staunton, Virginia.  Hunsberger completed a job shadowing experience with Trumbo Electric and is seeking a job in the electrical field.  He has applied for an apprenticeship at UVA Facilities Management.

Harry McGuire, Electricity instructor at VCTC commented, “Derrike has many of the traits that Buddy Harris demonstrated over the years.  He is a self-starter and a team player.  He has a desire to learn and achieve and is able to communicate effectively.”

Buddy Harris worked at Dixie for 63 years, beginning in 1948.  Buddy delivered propane and installed and serviced propane systems early in his career and broadened his trade skills in plumbing, electrical,

HVACR, concrete and masonry, welding, truck mechanics, and auto body work. In later years, he concentrated on the design, construction, and maintenance of the Company’s propane and petroleum distribution facilities.

Presenting the scholarship, along with Malissa Warren (Buddy Harris’s daughter), was Chris Earhart, president of Dixie Gas & Oil, who said, “Buddy took great pride in the quality of his work and made any task, no matter how difficult or menial, a fun project and a personal challenge. These are the traits of a dedicated and expert tradesman and the traits recognized in students receiving the Dixie Gas & Oil scholarship in Buddy’s honor.”

Scholarship recipients are chosen from the trades curriculum by the staff of Valley Career and Technical Center and receive $500 toward the cost of books and tuition or for graduates to acquire tools and equipment necessary to begin their career.

About Dixie Gas and Oil

Dixie Gas and Oil Corporation, founded in 1946 and headquartered in Verona, Virginia, is a leading provider of propane and petroleum products to residential, commercial, agricultural and industrial customers in Western and Central Virginia.  Products include propane, gas fireplaces and accessories, heating oil, kerosene, diesel fuel, gasoline and a full range of bulk and packaged lubricants distributed from locations in Verona, Elkton, Lexington and Covington, Virginia.

About Valley Career and Technical Center

Valley Career and Technical Center is part of the public-school systems of Augusta County, Staunton, and Waynesboro.  Students gain technical skills in a variety of career areas designed to prepare for entry level positions or acceptance into post-secondary education.  In addition to the many high school programs, the Center offers career and technical training for adults interested in apprenticeship programs, basic skills training or a GED.

VERONA, VA – November 29, 2016 – After months of preparation, Dixie Gas and Oil Corporation has formally introduced a new corporate logo and website. There has been no ownership or management change at Dixie and providing the highest levels of service and reliability to customers remains central to the Company’s core values – same company, new look.

“The objective of redesigning the logo was to present a fresh, innovative and progressive look, while maintaining the traditional values of the Dixie brand,” said Chris Earhart, president of Dixie. “Dixie’s exceptional service, reliability, community support and technical expertise are why customers have made our Company successful for 70 years and this process was to reinforce those traditions, not to change them in any way.”

Work on the logo redesign began in the fall of 2015 with the formation of a team of Dixie employees. Several companies were interviewed and Estland Design of Harrisonburg, Virginia, was selected as the design firm for the project. A final design was chosen in February of this year and a plan to implement the new logo was developed. Since that time, graphics on about 40 vehicles and building and road signs at all locations have been replaced, new apparel had been produced, Dixie advertising has been updated and the new logo has been incorporated into more than 100 Company forms and documents.

Concurrent with the logo design process was a redesign of the Dixie Gas & Oil website. In addition to design consistency, the new website features numerous improvements to provide more information about Dixie products, to simplify navigation and to accommodate the growing use of online services.Customers may now more simply set up a new account, place orders, make online payments and communicate with Dixie. Estland Design also performed the design work and the new website went live November 29, 2016.

“Dixie has always embraced innovation when it improves customer service,” said Mr. Earhart. “The new Company website is designed for that purpose and it, together with the new logo, present an updated and more progressive look, consistent with Dixie’s commitment to customer service innovation.”

Dixie has also fully implemented a new delivery, accounting and customer information system. The system is engineered and supported by Cargas Energy of Lancaster, PA, a leading provider of information technology systems for fuel delivery and service companies like Dixie. The new system provides improved delivery dispatching, enhanced customer information, more accurate fuel usage forecasting and expanded online services. The delivery system was implemented on January 25, 2016 and the back-office system went live on July 1, 2016.