Plumbing News

OESP awards members for national leadership, announces new leadership and scholarship winners

The National Association of Oil and Energy Service Professionals (OESP), an organization comprising hundreds of dedicated industry professionals in the Northeast, announced the winners of its 2023-2024 industry awards.

"OESP has the tremendous benefit of countless volunteers who are committed to advancing the Association, as well as the entire industry," said Matt Spink of Platinum Energy Group, East Meadow, New York, who chaired the OESP Awards Committee. "These individuals represent the best in our industry this year, and it is our privilege to bestow these national awards for their excellence and dedication."

The winners include:

Executive Board Award: Bob Daros, Heritage Fuel, Croton Falls, New York;

Lifetime Achievement Award: Jim Todd, R.W Beckett, Elyria, Ohio;

Instructor of the Year: Jason Esteves, Seitron Americas, Trevose, Pennsylvania;

Manufacturer of the Year: Taco, accepted by Dave Holdorf, Hauppauge, New York;

Lou Ehrich Memorial Associate of the Year Award: John Dunleavey, Carlin/Hydrolevel, North Haven, Connecticut;

Ralph Adams Memorial Service Manager of the Year: Lance Marques, Swezey Fuel Co., Patchogue, New York; and

Hugh W. McKee Memorial Award: Rick Glownia, EDOS, Inc., Granby, Massachusetts.

OESP also announced that Bob O’Brien of Mt. Sinai has been elected president. O’Brien, who also serves as secretary of the Long Island Chapter and is its past president, is exceptionally qualified to serve his term in the position of National President. He has served on the National Board of OESP since 2014 in a range of leadership positions, such as National Vice President and National Treasurer.

OESP re-elected Paul Cuprewich as treasurer for the 2024 term, and Steve Schwanger was re-elected as national secretary for the 2024-2026 term.

Scott Nicholas and Justin Romano were both elected as a national vice president for the 2024-2026 term, while George Fantacone and Angel Gonzalez were re-elected as national vice presidents for the same term.

Lastly, OESP announced the winners of the 2024 Dave Nelsen Scholarship.

The scholarship was established in 1999 to remember and recognize the commitment to education made by OESP member Dave Nelsen. The scholarship is awarded to students or technicians who are currently or planning to attend a technical college or trade school, pursuing a career in the oil and energy industry.

“We are immensely proud to announce the exceptional individuals who will receive the 2024 Dave Nelsen Scholarship,” OESP President Scott Vadino said. “We are thrilled to acknowledge these outstanding individuals and are confident in their abilities to carry forward the distinguished legacy of Dave Nelson.

“We would like to recognize our corporate, association and OESP chapter sponsors, who, along with OESP, co-sponsor the scholarships each year,” Vadino added. “Thank you for all of your continued efforts; this would be possible without your support and guidance.”

“Our company takes pride in offering educational assistance to young people who wish to embark on a career in our industry,” said Rich Lyons, President, C. Cowles & Company, the parent company of Carlin/Hydrolevel, which sponsors a scholarship. “A career in the HVAC industry offers a wealth of opportunities for these outstanding scholarship recipients.”

“We are greatly honored to give back to our industry in the most valuable way,” Fred Hunt, Director of Sales & Marketing of Beckett Corporation, added. “We are proud to support our future by providing students with this opportunity each year.”

The 2024 Dave Nelsen Scholarship winners are:

Brian Rankin – Attends Entech and resides in Ivorytown, CT. This scholarship was co-sponsored by The Southeast PA Chapter of OESP.

Autumn Falco – Attends Entech and resides in Tolland, CT. This scholarship was co-sponsored by Carlin/Hydrolevel and the New Haven Chapter of OESP.