Over the last decade, at least 100 storms — including tropical storms, hurricanes and more — have hit the United States, causing major damage and affecting our country’s ability to maintain even day-to-day operations.
Just four months ago, the state of Texas declared a state of emergency following a severe winter and ice storm leading to 164 deaths and over $195 billion in damages.
This power crisis was soon followed by a group of hackers breaching the largest fuel pipeline in the U.S., causing a major disruption in fuel availability in more than seven states and leading to President Joseph Biden declaring a state of emergency on May 9, 2021.
Disasters like these can bring our fragile economy to a screeching halt, while the people that are affected by them fight to keep their lights on and the house warm. But the fuel oil and propane industry stands ready to answer the call of those in need.
When disaster strikes, the government agencies Federal Emergency Management Agency, Department of Energy and Department of Defense look to the propane and heating oil industries for help.
Mission critical companies like Foster Fuels, Tevis Energy, Broco Oil and many others deploy to the epicenter of the disaster. These heroes provide the much-needed fuels powering crucial services that aid in the stabilization and recovery of the affected area.
Robert Brown, president of Broco Oil based in Massachusetts, is a local fire captain and U.S. Navy Seabee veteran. Brown runs the company together with his wife, Angela. In 2019, Brown was named Veteran-Owned Small Business Owner of the Year by the U.S. Small Business Administration.
This honor is the result of his work with the Merrimack Valley gas explosions, during which he managed up to 500 generators, 24/7, for 110 days consecutively as a government contractor, with designations as a service-disabled-veteran-owned small business.
I first met Brown at an association meeting in Neddick, Maine, in 2019, and I was immediately impressed by his drive, focus and passion for the heating oil and propane industry.
I found that Brown was not just attending the meeting to support the industry. While in attendance, he received a call for an emergency fuel request in support of a communications tower more than 300 miles away.
The leadership instilled in him from his military service was evident as he coordinated with other energy marketers to uphold the industry standard. Broco Oil received notification in August 2020 that they had been awarded a four-year contract for emergency fuel delivery and logistic services.
They now work alongside the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency and other state agencies to provide emergency assistance to communities impacted by natural disasters through its “Priority One” emergency fuel division.
Brown and his company demonstrate the crucial need the country has for our fuels and the industry’s focus on supporting the veteran community. I asked Brown what advice he would give to those considering employment in the energy industry.
He said, “This industry is a mission-critical one that provides more than [just] a job, but a career. When you join our team, you join our family. We want to hire motivated men and women, prepared to answer the call when our customers, industry or country needs us.”
I also asked Brown what recommendations he had for fellow marketers seeking new employees. He had a lot to say in relation to industry awareness, training and retention, but one statement resonated with me.
“This industry has so much to offer, not just in pay, benefits and career progression. We have something even greater and more important to [add to] the generation we are hiring from. We have a culture and mission that is greater than one individual or company. That is what we need to show both the veteran and civilian candidates; that is what will separate us from other industries,” Brown said.
Knowing that companies like Broco Oil and many others throughout our industry stand ready when our country is in need is something the Vets2Techs team and I are proud of every day. I am thankful that we are able to offer veterans seeking employment such a rewarding and honorable career path — from one uniform and service to the next.
