Flanders, New Jersey (June 6, 2022) — Advanced Digital Data Inc. shares the sad news of the passing of Mark Collins, ADD Systems vice president of ADD South.
After more than 35 years, he made an indelible mark on ADD’s products, team members and clients. His contributions are countless, and the team is grateful for his years of service, expertise and friendship.
Collins spent his whole career in the petroleum industry. Not long after graduating college, he joined Independent Computer Consultants (ICC), where he gained experience in the heating oil, burner service and welding supply industries.
In 1987, he brought his expertise to Petroleum Software Systems (PSS). There, he was responsible for the design, installation and support of their ERP software solution for diversified petroleum distributors. The product first specialized in the home heat segments of the industry. This was an area Collins was so knowledgeable in that he was frequently asked to speak about the science of Degree Days and forecasting deliveries at many of the oil associations in the northeast.
At PSS, he used his knowledge to help develop not only the product, but establish successful software installation and support procedures that were followed for years to come.
Collins continued contributing to PSS until it was sold to Electronic Data Systems (EDS) in 1994. There, he took on the role of operations and product manager and was responsible for downstream petroleum distribution solutions. He worked on several large projects with clients in the United States and abroad.
In 1999, EDS sold their petroleum software division to ADD Systems. Collins was instrumental in the acquisition and worked with ADD founder, Bruce A. Bott, to create a smooth transition for his team and clients.
Collins took on the role of vice president of ADD South, where he continued to passionately develop software and oversee the Orlando, Florida, office. Rob Culbertson, senior vice president and chief operating officer, said, “Mark’s contributions have been immeasurable. He was not just a co-worker, but also a good friend as well.”
Bruce C. Bott, president of ADD, expressed similar gratitude. “I feel lucky to have worked with Mark and to have his signature on many of the products we market today. I’ll miss Mark, and he will be missed by everyone he came in contact with. He was a talented, knowledgeable soft-spoken gentlemen,” he said.
Click here to read Mark's full obituary. Donations in his memory may be made to the American Cancer Society and Trees for a Change.
