Staff Bios

Bill Ermer, President & Owner

Department: Management

Years with Company/Industry: owned since 1969

Role: Work with management to set programs & policies and procedures. Assist customers, purchase Propane & Fuel Oil for the company, work with the marketing team.

Favorite Quote: "It is what it is!"

Memorable Moment: I had a customer that received one of our many communication items regarding the volatility of the pricing and supply of the fuel market. They were so impressed with the way we were communicating with our customers, they actually called a reporter and praised me and my company for being so honest and caring towards its customers.

Joe Trefethen, General Manager

Department: Management

Years with Company/Industry: 18

Role: Responsible for growth and forward momentum of Palmer Gas/Ermer Oil Company. As General Manager, I work with all departments to ensure that our customers receive the best possible service.

Favorite Quote: "There are no shortcuts to any place worth going."

Jim Krzywicki, Operations Manager

Department: Operations

Years with Company/Industry: 31

Role: responsible for facility building & maintenance. Vehicle & equipment purchasing and vehicle maintenance.

Memorable Moment: With 31 years with Palmer Gas/Ermer Oil I have had so many great customer experiences, there are too many to list. We truly have great customers and I enjoy being able to serve them.

Veronica Cianciulli, Controller

Department: Accounting

Years with Company/Industry: 8

Role: Responsible for all financial policies and procedures. Ensure accuracy of all financial reporting internally as well as externally. Oversee credit and collection, accounts payable and accounts receivable.

Favorite Quote: "If you can dream it, you can achieve it."

Memorable Moment: My fondest memory at Palmer Gas/Ermer Oil was the day a long time customer that had struggled to pay her bill for years and received assistance from Palmer Gas/Ermer Oil many times called me on the telephone. She told me she had come into a large inheritance and she wanted to make a sizeable donation to the account that helped her out so many times. She wanted to make sure she helped make someone feel as special as we had made her feel.

Charlie Ermer, Delivery Supervisor

Department: Delivery

Years with Company/Industry: 18 years

Role: Directs and coordinates activities of workers in delivery operations to ensure adequate facilities and gas/oil supply to meet consumer demands with minimum interruptions of service.

Favorite Quote: "Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow.”

Memorable Moment: I remember one of our customers just moved into their new home and realized they did not set up an account and they were out of fuel. Palmer Gas/Ermer Oil dispatched their on-call driver to make an emergency delivery and our customer was so thankful and gracious we were able to get them back up and running.

Joanne Ermer, HR Director

Department: Human Resources - IT

Years with Company/Industry: 20 years

Role: I have many roles in the company. My main role is Human Resources and training.

Favorite Quote: "Coming Soon"

Memorable Moment: One Saturday, I was here working in the office trying to catch up on some work. The office is closed on Saturday but I happened to be downstairs near the front door and noticed this cute lady knocking on the door. I went to the door and opened it and asked if I could help her. She was a long time customer who lived in Ackerman’s Trailer park down the street.

She was very upset about a bill she received for service work and wanted to talk about the situation. I had her explain everything and told her I would talk to the service manager on Monday and get back to her. We had a very nice conversation and she gave me a big hug and thanked me for taking care of the situation.From then on, her and her husband would always ask to see me when they came in the office to pay their bill. We had a nice relationship and we would reminisce about the first day we met on that cold Saturday.

They have since moved to Florida but I still think of them and miss them coming to the office to visit.

Jessica Barnhart, Office Supervisor

Department: Office

Years with Company/Industry: 3

Role: Supervise New Accounts and Billing Departments. Also oversee and supervise the Front Desk and Receptionist.

Favorite Quote: "No ONE can whistle a symphony. It takes an orchestra to play it."

Memorable Moment: A customer called me about 6 months ago stating that he wanted to cancel his account. He was somewhat vague on his reasons and the tone in his voice was short. Upon pressing him I learned that his wife had just passed away. He was calling because he needed to watch his money due to having just lost one income. I told him I would bring his price down a little to help him out. He was very pleased and I was able to save the customer. He is still a customer and has told me the sole reason he has remained a customer is because of me. I was happy to save a customer and very happy to help him out after finding out his situation.

Lloyd Benjamin, Service Supervisor

Department: Service

Years with Company/Industry: 9

Role: Oversee and assist technicians in the service department as well as the office Service employees. Act as a role model by fully participating in day to day matters, accepting responsibility for decisions, being consistent and fair and fostering courtesy and respect for all staff. Ensure that all operations are conducted in an operationally and environmentally safe, sound and responsible manner.

Favorite Quote: "You are only as good as the people around you"

Memorable Moment: Having the opportunity to be a service technician for eight years I have so many customer stories that I would not have enough room to list them all. Any time I am able to help or talk to a customer about their concerns is always the most rewarding experience for me.