Final NAOHSM Trade Show a Success
The final National Association of Oilheating Service Managers Annual Convention and Trade Show was held May 22-26, 2011 in Hershey, Penn. It was the 58th event since NAOHSM was founded in 1954 with Hugh McKee as its president. As the association’s staff notes that was the year that Joe DiMaggio married Marilyn Monroe, RCA manufactured the first color TV set, and Elvis Presley recorded his debut single, ‘That’s All Right.”
Readers shouldn’t be sad at the news. The show will be around next year, but under a new name. As announced at the show (though rumored for some time) the trade group will now be known as the National Association of Oil & Energy Service Professionals or OESP. Executive Director Judy Garber noted in announcing the change that the new title honors the association’s past while looking toward the future of the industry. ‘It builds on NAOHSM’s more than half century of accomplishment. OESP remains dedicated to the advancement of all energy service professionals through education and support.”
‘Our members wear many hats,” said Garber. ‘The title ‘service manager’ has either gone away or has evolved into the position of general manager, lead technician, district manager, or even sales manager. Our members do so much more that just service oil-heat accounts. The idea of a new name that reflects who we are has been discussed for probably five years. As a matter of fact, last year we thought we had a new name and then, after consideration, many realized the proposed name was missing our core roots ‘ oil heat. The new name, the National Association of Oil & Energy Service Professionals, reflects our history, as well as our present and future.”
OESP members approved the official name change on May 24, 2011, at the convention. To commemorate this important change, OESP invites you to take advantage of a free, six-month trial membership. Network with other service professionals in your chapter and attend training programs that will advance your skills.
The show itself saw a solid turn out among both attendees and exhibitors ‘ an increasingly rare event in the current economy. This year’s theme was Christmas in May and the association celebrated the many charitable things its members do for their customers and neighborhoods throughout the year.
The week kicked off on Sunday with Honeywell’s Rebuilding Together program. Members of the association volunteered at Camp Sertoma, a non-profit, summer camp for people of all ages with developmental disabilities. They helped prepare the camp for summer.
On Monday, attendees took part in a range of educational opportunities, as well as a chance to enjoy the outdoors as golfers raised nearly $7,000 for the Dave Nelsen Scholarship. Participants in the Care to Ride event supported NAOHSM’s charity, Oil Heat Cares. They rode motorcycles, bicycles, walked and ran, raising nearly $60,000. In the evening, all attendees enjoyed a complimentary reception, co-hosted by the association and ITT and Bell & Gossett.
Tuesday began with the Board of Directors and General Membership meeting. Directors and members agreed upon the association’s new name. More education was offered for attendees. The sold-out trade show opened its doors and drew an increase in attendance of 18 percent.
On Tuesday evening, the association recognized industry achievers at their annual awards banquet. Prior to the banquet, attendees enjoyed a Taco-sponsored, cocktail party. Winners this year included:
· Instructor of the Year ‘ Ralph Adams is the executive vice president of OESP and is the service manager for Parker Fuel Co. in Ellicott City, MD. He is a co-chairman of OESP’s national Education Committee and was instrumental in the development of the Train-the-Trainer program. Adams was an instructor at Baltimore County Community College in Catonsville, MD, where he prepared students for the NORA (National Oil Heat Research Alliance) Silver Certification program. Adams received the 2006 Service Manager of the Year award and was the president and treasurer of his chapter (the Mid Atlantic Service Managers Association).
· Lou Ehrich Award ‘ Robert Perotto is a member of the New York City Chapter of OESP. He has been active in the oil-heating industry for 49 years. Bob is a NYS-licensed, professional engineer. He volunteers for training classes, tutoring and mentoring hundreds of technicians, service managers, and owners so they can pass the NYC, oil-equipment installer’s license exam. Perotto is a longtime member of the chapter and chairman of their nominating committee. He has volunteered his time on several Oil Heat Cares projects and assists the chapter with education and high-school student activities.
· Service Manager of the Year ‘ Joe Boyle, owner of Boyle’s Heating and Cooling in Quakertown, PA, has been active in the Lehigh Valley Chapter for 30 years. He is always interested in education for himself and his employees. Boyle became familiar with petroleum when in the Air Force, but upon leaving the military he enrolled in barber school. When the mid 70’s brought change that resulted in people not needing a barber, Joe switched careers, figuring people will always need heat. He wanted to learn about oil burners and enrolled in the Upper Bucks Tech School. While working at Agway, he met Bill Nice, a longtime member of OESP, who introduced Boyle to the association. He served as chapter president for many years. The increased membership in the Lehigh Valley Chapter is a testament to Boyle’s desire to have regular, educational meetings.
· Hugh McKee Award ‘ George McQueeney has been servicing oil burners since age 15. He got his start in the family business while in grammar school, helping on an oil truck during snow days and winter breaks from school. He is now the national president of OESP and treasurer of the New Haven Chapter. He has been active in his chapter since 1978. He is the service manager for East River Energy in Guilford, CT. As a board member of Oil Heat Cares, McQueeney has spearheaded many projects.
· Manufacturer of the Year ‘ Honeywell is a corporate member of OESP and a strong advocate of education. They have supported OESP’s scholarship program for a number of years by co-sponsoring an award. They have been a major supporter of Oil Heat Cares’ Care to Ride event. Honeywell also assists tech schools by providing products.
· Technician of the Year ‘ Ed Postol, the Technician of the Year award is unique because friends, employers, and fellow chapter members nominate potential recipients. Then, a group of judges make the final selection. OESP provides the winner with $1,000 in gift checks and Testo awards the winner with a 557 Refrigeration System Analyzer. The winner is also recognized with a plaque. This year’s recipient, Ed Postol, works for Woolley Fuel in Maplewood, NJ and was nominated by his service manager, Paul Cuprewich. Postol is a member of the Garden State Chapter. Carl Graf of Petro in Hicksville, NY was the runner up.
· Lifetime Achievement Award ‘ Michael Szentesy, a longtime employee of Suntec, has been involved in the oil-heating industry for over 39 years. As member of ten OESP chapters, he not only pays his dues, he also attends many meetings and is always available for training. Szentesy has a keen understanding of what his customers need and works hard to deliver it to them. He has served as the chairman of the burner section of AHRI, treasurer of OESP, president of OMA, vice-chairman of the GAMA, and chairman of the burner division of the Hydronics Institute. Szentesy is moving on to the next stage of his career by joining Mitco Manufacturing, a division of Sid Harvey Industries.
Students were also recognized with six $5,000 scholarships. The recipients were Alrick Crowe (Honeywell/NAOHSM award), Joshua Holohan (R.E. Michel/NAOHSM award), Austin Gray (Weil-McLain/NAOHSM award), Wyatt Runciman (James McComas/NAOHSM award), Michael Kimmel (Delavan/NAOHSM award), and Joseph Ackerman (Taco/NAOHSM award).
The coveted opportunity to hold the Oil Heat Cares Cup in 2011 went to three parties: Don Farrell for his Care to Ride event idea, as well as to the Nassau-Suffolk Chapter and the Delaware Valley Chapter for their ongoing support of projects.
On Wednesday, attendees took advantage of additional classes in the morning and afternoon, as well as time at the trade show. In the evening, Grundfos co-sponsored the association’s annual Theme Night Party. Participants enjoyed a festive evening complete with Santa and Mrs. Claus, gifts, and a visit by the Marines who picked up the toys from Next year’s event will be held in Providence, R.I., from May 20-24, 2012.
Caption: Michael Szentesy accepts his Lifetime Achievement Award.
