October 1st marked a milestone in my life. Thirty years ago on that date, I started working for the cooperative. I was 32 years old with a work history that included working as a laborer in a cheese factory, a construction worker building Harvestore silos, an infantryman in the U.S. Army and a salesperson at a competing cooperative. I guess you could say I was well rounded.
When I came to work in Mt. Horeb, I took the position of Energy Division Manager, which I hold today. I didn’t have to leave for more responsibility. The cooperative grew up around me. When I first started in my new role, the Energy Division had 5 employees, one location and about $1.5 million in sales. Fast forward 30 years and the Energy Division has 7 locations, 33 full-time employees and 5 part-time employees. Last year we accounted for $38.3 million in sales.
I didn’t build the ship. I’m just steering it. As much as I would like to take credit for it, the folks responsible for our division’s success are the staff we’ve gained over the years. Some have come from outside the organization, but many already had careers in the businesses that we merged with or acquired over the years. I’d have to say that the staff we have now is the best we’ve ever had.
The success of our division is really the story of the success of Premier Cooperative. We’ve been fortunate to have board members as well as the leadership team that recognizes opportunities as they present themselves while protecting the equity of our owners.
Of course, none of this would be possible without our customers. We appreciate your loyalty for choosing us to provide your energy needs. I’ve met some fantastic customers over the years, and I can call many of them friends. I’ve still got a few good years of work left in me, so you’re not rid of me yet. I just wanted to say thank you for the last thirty years. It’s been a pleasure.
Now let’s get down to business. I know this sounds familiar, but energy markets continue to be volatile. If you haven’t locked in your propane, we are still accepting propane contracts, but we can’t guarantee that they will be the same as the first offering. Call your local energy office to find out the contract price.
If you haven’t fired up that furnace yet, get it done while the weather is warm. If you need it checked out, put it in your calendar to call your HVAC technician. It can be aggravating to fire up your furnace and get cold air for your trouble. Oh, and change those nasty filters.
While we’ve got some nice weather, check the regulator that is attached to your house to make sure the vent isn’t on the ground and the vent screen is intact. Vents should be at least 1 foot above grade. If there is an issue, please give your local energy office a call.
I hope you have an enjoyable October and a safe and spooky Halloween. Thank you for your business.
