Women In Propane’ Spotlight: Fitting Right in with the Family

Nicole Sullivan Cameli, senior vice president of Anderson Oil Co., Anderson Propane Service, and Anderson Leonarkis Construction, was recently named second in command of these three family-owned businesses. Since the first company launched in 1976, they have evolved into a trio of very successful businesses. She joined the company 12 years ago and has been an integral part of that growth. BPN checked in with this young mover and shaker to find out about her new responsibilities, how she juggles three different entities, and what it’s like to be in charge of a large part of a family company —when you’re not officially family.

“After my recent promotion, my boss, Mark Anderson, said, ‘Well, don’t mess this up! The only place you have to go from here is unemployed,’” Cameli recounts. “He’s got quite the sense of humor, as you can tell, which is one of the things I enjoy most about the atmosphere here. Fundamentally, my role is the same across all three companies, in spite of the fact that they each have different focuses.

“I’m really lucky to work with a very talented and hardworking staff so my ‘juggling’ duties primarily entail following up on delegated tasks and projects,” she continues. “I couldn’t live without a task-management application called OmniFocus, which allows me to organize and prioritize my thoughts and ideas to drive each day’s productivity. I take a pretty direct approach with our team [members] and have invested a lot of time and energy in helping them develop so they can problem solve without me.”

As the company vice president in a business that has active family employees, what specific challenges might face a senior exec from outside the bloodline? “I grew up a Navy brat, and while there were certainly some advantages to that kind of upbringing, I missed out on living near extended family. The idea of not only living in close proximity to my family, but also joining a family-run company, was very foreign. It didn’t take me long to realize that I truly enjoy this environment. There is a unique level of commitment from our team, whether family or not. You can tell that the principles of honesty, integrity, and curiosity that the company was founded on are still guiding us every day.

“There are always deep roots in a family company and often emotional connections to business segments and customers. I’ve found that as long as there is an awareness and respect of that history, the Anderson family has always welcomed change. We’ve also established more clarity by defining job responsibilities and expectations, while still maintaining the family business culture of doing whatever is needed to get the job done.”

This role is a far cry from the 23-year-old who had no idea what propane was when she started. “I stumbled upon this industry because I answered an ad and needed a job — but what I found was a career. I’ve stayed because of the people — our team, the people in our state association, and all the wonderful industry members I’ve met along the way.”

It is clear when talking to Cameli that her spirit, humor, creativity, and drive helped her get to where she is, and she encourages the same in others. “During our monthly staff meetings, I hold a best idea contest. We all vote and the winner receives a trophy and a $20 bill. I’m not only proud of the ideas and implementation, but also that they don’t need me to see things through. It’s been an honor to witness so much personal growth and see it evolve with such enthusiasm,” she says. As far as a “best idea contest” for the industry, she would love to see change in government legislation. “Although there have been victories, we’re still the underdog to natural gas and I’d love to help forge a solution to level the playing field.”

This fireball has big goals for her own companies, too. “It’s natural for an organizational culture to become comfortable with processes, product offerings, and service. Every competitor advertises great service and value, but now I’m in a position that allows me to implement new strategies to separate us from the pack. My personal impact statement is, ‘With tenacity, push beyond the comfort zone,’ and this has always been my nature. I now have the opportunity to channel that into this new position by challenging the status quo.”

Five things most people don’t know about her:

1. It’s best not to speak to her in the morning until she’s had a full cup of coffee.

2. She played Division I field hockey for Virginia Commonwealth University.

3. She could eat Mexican food every day.

4. She serves on the board for her local SPCA and is a fanatical dog lover; especially of her two.

5. She’s completed an Ironman competition and six marathons.