All are welcome to attend this meeting of the NEFI Government Affairs Committee. NEFI’s lobbying team and state association representatives will provide updates on legislative and regulatory issues that directly affect your business, including industry efforts to combat the “electrify everything” movement. Mike Estes of Estes Oil & Propane, the committee’s new Chair, will lead this important discussion.

Jim Collura

Learn from the real experts who are growing their businesses through acquisitions.

Steven Abbate

Innovation and free agency are the basis of a healthy marketplace. Discover the benefits of owning your data and learn the importance of true vendor flexibility. Learn about the next generation of business automation and cash flow management tools like text-to-pay to help propel your business forward and streamline efficiencies.

Jon Gilbert

Larry Richmond

Learn how to improve your current housekeeping protocol, while acquiring new tips and techniques to manage fuel quality and handle potential field operability issues associated with ultra-low sulfur heating oil and higher biodiesel blends.

Leo Verruso is the General Manager of Advanced Fuel Solutions and has been an active member of our industry for over 30 years. Leo is an active Board Member of the National Energy & Fuels Institute, as well as on the Board of Massachusetts Energy Marketers Association, where he serves on the Executive Committee. In addition to his position at AFS, Leo is the co-founder of Vets2Techs, a 501(c)(3) organization that helps connect United States Military Veterans with the workforce development needs of the energy industry.

More info coming soon

Rick Schweitzer

This presentation will identify the major transactional issues confronted by motivated buyers and sellers, highlight the distinct motivations of each side, provide transactional positions designed to advance the buyer's or seller's objectives, and explore approaches to bridging these differences.

Brian Freeman focuses his practice on environmental compliance counseling, permitting, site remediation, and related litigation regarding federal and state regulatory programs. Areas of particular focus include air quality, climate change, petroleum management, and waste management/recycling. Brian has worked with a variety of clients, ranging from Fortune 100 conglomerates to individual entrepreneurs, and across a broad spectrum of industries, including petroleum, aerospace, specialty chemicals, electricity generation, composting and organics management. He has been listed in The Best Lawyers in America© in the area of Environmental Law since 2006, and in the area of Litigation - Environmental since 2011.

Earl Phillips

Jon Schaefer, a partner in the firm’s Environmental, Energy + Telecommunications Group, focuses his practice on environmental compliance counseling, permitting, site remediation, occupational health and safety, energy regulatory compliance and siting, and litigation related to federal and state regulatory programs. His experiences enable him to work effectively with experts and legal counsel to help clients minimize risk and solve compliance, enforcement, transactional, and regulatory matters. Jon is also the Editor of the Environmental Law + blog, which presents clients and friends across a wide range of industries and businesses with a timely and thoughtful forum for discussion on environmental, health and safety, and energy topics.

Learn about the types of heating oil claims, lessons in handling these claims and mitigation measures to reduce liability.

Carl Bisson

Mike Freill

Policymakers in the northeast are doing everything in their power to eliminate the heating oil industry by electrifying buildings and implementing regulatory programs. Learn more about how to prepare your business for and capitalize on Portfolio Standards, Cap-and-Trade Programs, Clean Heat Standards, and Commercial Building Policies.

Joe Uglietto is the President of Diversified Energy Specialists (DES), a renewable energy consulting and environmental markets trading company. At DES, Joe trades in thermal energy portfolio standards in the Northeast and is an aggregator in the Massachusetts Alternative Portfolio Standard, representing clients across renewable thermal technologies.

Joe has been monitoring the efforts of other states in the Northeast to implement cap-and-trade programs and clean heat standards for the thermal sector. Joe looks forward to working with heating oil retailers and wholesalers in Massachusetts and Vermont when a Clean Heat Standard is implemented in both states.

Assisting corporations from a variety of industries achieve carbon neutrality, Joe procures carbon offset credits from technologies both domestically and internationally. Joe has consulted on projects for the Clean Fuels Alliance America, the National Oilheat Research Alliance, and many Northeast states' fuel dealer associations on a range of topics, with the common goal of decarbonizing the building sector in the Northeast. Joe's recent work has focused on the flaws of current thermal electrification policy and the design of clean heat standards.

NEFI Regulatory Counsel Rick Schweitzer will show you how to avoid common violations at roadside inspections and in a DOT audit.

Rick Schweitzer

Discuss common things owners overlook when trying to determine what's next. We will dig into areas that have a direct impact on business valuation.

Kendall Rawls

More info coming soon

John Bagioni

During a study in Presque Isle, Maine, B20 was treated and successfully stored in an unheated bulk tank and delivered to homeowners all winter without any issues. This presentation will discuss the study, review the data, and look at future plans to test, treat, store and deliver higher BXX blends.

Steve Boracchia

In this session, you will learn how you can overcome the affordability issue with rising equipment costs and increase closed sales by at least 10 % and installation tickets by 25% simply by adding monthly payments to your quotes.

Greg Burns

More info coming soon

Room: 557 (5th floor)

This presentation will introduce Beckett's new advanced burner controls, which will benefit our industry through simple programming and diagnostics. It will also cover how to troubleshoot burner operation using detailed burner fault history to identify both the issue and remedy.

Jeff Rozga is the Technical Trainer for R.W. Beckett in Northeast Ohio. Jeff has been with the company for over 42 years. He provides training to contractors, instructors, and distributor personnel. Jeff’s areas of responsibility have included manufacturing, product development, field applications and troubleshooting burner systems. He has taught over 800 classes in the U.S. and Canada on oil and gas fired heating systems along with electronic controls. Jeff currently serves on the Education Committee for OESP. Prior to that, Jeff also served on the NATE Technical Committee for over 10 years.

This seminar will provide helpful information on what to look for when inspecting aboveground oil tanks during annual tune-ups. It will also provide information on maintaining fuel oil tanks and educating your customers on oil tank maintenance.

Eric Missigman

Justine Missigman

This presentation is designed to help commission an oil supply system that will ensure consistent burner operation and safety, optimize combustion efficiency, and reduce liability potential.

Jim Todd

This class will cover some of the common issues with regards to power venting and combustion air. We will go over wiring details as well as proper setup of the units.

Rick is a 49-year veteran of the heating industry. He worked for Connecticut’s largest retail fuel oil company in Hartford, CT, serving 11 years as Service Manager. He then transitioned into the manufacturer’s rep business, working for the past 18 years for JAD Associates, covering the New England states. The lines he represents include Field Controls, Allanson Ignitors, Midwest Snips, FPPF Fuel Additives and Enerco / Mr. Heater.

Rick is a certified NATE and NORA instructor for several different disciplines in the HVAC field, specializing in indoor air Quality and venting.

In addition to his responsibilities at JAD Associates, Rick is an active member of several OESP groups and serves as Secretary for the Connecticut Valley, New Haven and New England Tri-State chapters. He is a co-founder of the NETS chapter and served as President of the Connecticut Valley Chapter. In 2013 he was awarded OESP’s Lou Ehrich Memorial Associate of the Year Award and in 2021 he received the OESP Board of Directors’ Outstanding Achievement Award.

Rick also serves as a member of the School Advisory Board at Entech Advanced Energy Training in Cromwell and was a member of the Craft Committee at Bristol Technical Vocational School.

This presentation will focus on the newest developments in our full line of controls, to help the technician quickly and accurately complete the job.

Sean Perkins

Learn to take feed measurements, helpful hints on propane burner adjustments, and how to maintain your analyzer.

Rick is employed as a Manufacturers Sales Representative for EDOS Manufacturers’ Reps in Granby, MA. Training is a huge part of what Rick does for EDOS and the manufacturers he represents, and he has also done many generic training sessions on products related to the new technology the industry is increasingly adopting. He also developed approved NORA technical training programs, so Continuing Education Units may be offered to technicians attending his classes. Rick is a member of the Board of Directors for ACANE and OESP and also serves on the Education Committee.

Focus on the best practices for avoiding nuisance service calls in two specific areas: fuel pump sticking and plugged fuel filters.

Leo Verruso is the General Manager of Advanced Fuel Solutions and has been an active member of our industry for over 30 years. Leo is an active Board Member of the National Energy & Fuels Institute, as well as on the Board of Massachusetts Energy Marketers Association, where he serves on the Executive Committee. In addition to his position at AFS, Leo is the co-founder of Vets2Techs, a 501(c)(3) organization that helps connect United States Military Veterans with the workforce development needs of the energy industry.

This presentation will focus on what can we expect and what must you know as it relates to Carlin residential burners' updated design and future burner technology that will meet the demands of the industry today and into the future.

Sean Perkins

Massachusetts is moving forward with a Clean Heat Standard and Vermont plans to revisit a Clean Heat Standard next year. While other states consider similar legislation, it's important for retailers and wholesalers to be prepared for these new challenges. Learn about the design of a Clean Heat Standard and actions that companies should be taking today to thrive in these new programs.

Joe Uglietto is the President of Diversified Energy Specialists (DES), a renewable energy consulting and environmental markets trading company. At DES, Joe trades in thermal energy portfolio standards in the Northeast and is an aggregator in the Massachusetts Alternative Portfolio Standard, representing clients across renewable thermal technologies.

Joe has been monitoring the efforts of other states in the Northeast to implement cap-and-trade programs and clean heat standards for the thermal sector. Joe looks forward to working with heating oil retailers and wholesalers in Massachusetts and Vermont when a Clean Heat Standard is implemented in both states.

Assisting corporations from a variety of industries achieve carbon neutrality, Joe procures carbon offset credits from technologies both domestically and internationally. Joe has consulted on projects for the Clean Fuels Alliance America, the National Oilheat Research Alliance, and many Northeast states’ fuel dealer associations on a range of topics, with the common goal of decarbonizing the building sector in the Northeast. Joe's recent work has focused on the flaws of current thermal electrification policy and the design of clean heat standards.

Matt Cota is the Executive Director of the Vermont Fuel Dealers Association. In addition to legislative advocacy and regulatory oversight, VFDA trains approximately 1,000 students every year in the heating, electrical, and plumbing trades. Prior to joining VFDA in 2007, Cota worked both as a journalist and school teacher in Santa Barbara, California. He holds a Master’s Degree in Public Policy from California State University Northridge and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Communication from The George Washington University. In 2021, Cota was elected to the South Burlington City Council.

This seminar will give energy marketers some actionable ideas on how to quantify, evaluate and mitigate the impact of inflation and rising fuel costs on their financial operations.

Marty Kirshner

Steve Abbate

This presentation will help attendees understand what a "customer experience" is and how it can impact their business. It will go over tools available to make the customer journey and experience easy to manage.

Esther Angell is currently a Vice President at Cargas Systems. She’s originally from Oklahoma but crossed the Red River, spending over 10 years in the oil and gas industry in Houston. During that time, she worked in for both service and manufacturing companies in a variety of leadership roles. While in Houston, Esther served on the Board of Directors for the Women’s Energy Network and supported various mentoring and volunteer programs. She later relocated to Lancaster, Pennsylvania, continuing her work in manufacturing but for non-energy industries. She currently leads a team in the technology space, leveraging her background in marketing, sales, product management, and business development. This broad experience enables Esther to find connections and commonalities across business and industry. It’s also one of the reasons she’s an active, member, mentor and speaker at Women in Energy, The Technology Council of Central PA, and Leadership Lancaster.

New York has passed legislation called the CLCPA, which is designed to wipe out fossil fuel use in the state beginning as early as 2026. The presentation will detail the legislation and what NYPGA is doing to fight it.

Matt Cota

Bill Overbaugh

Leslie Anderson

We will focus on you and your data so be prepared! How to use your data and better understand it to optimize your delivery operations.

Danny Silverman

This session focuses on where biodiesel and renewable diesel is now being produced domestically, and how the combination of domestic and imported biodiesel will accommodate the emerging demand for low carbon liquids like biodiesel and renewable diesel long term. As the industry embraces increased blend levels to meet legislative drivers designed to decarbonize the region it will be necessary to be proactive with these discussions. Paul Nazzaro, Supply Chain Liaison, Clean Fuels Alliance America, will lead a discussion on what's on many fuel dealers minds: "Will there be sufficient biodiesel to meet the new mandate requirements in several regions and the goals defined within the Providence Resolution introduced by NEFI in 2019.

With adequate preparation and a well thought out supply strategy blends of B5 shouldn't be challenging to meet the initial requirement defined in many state mandates. According to the energy Information Administration (EIA), U.S. biodiesel production is >2.4 billion gallons in 2021. Total residential heating oil sold in New England and Mid-Atlantic markets averages 3.2 BGY making B5 blends a non-event. For those blending B20 on a ratable basis and with commitments to their customers to accelerate decarbonization of the supply chain a more strategic plan should be considered where communication between buyer an seller will be the difference in supply disruption and ratable and competitive supply. The session is designed to elevate awareness, empower fuel handlers to make decisions and to ensure a seamless distribution system leading to oil heats renaissance.

Paul Nazzaro

How are companies growing gallons in this environment? This panel discussion will share ideas for companies to build business and protect profit margins in an uncertain world.

Elaine Levin is President of Powerhouse. She has over 30 years of experience working worth with energy producers, refiners, marketers, and consumers executing hedging strategies. Prior to joining Powerhouse, Elaine was Vice President, Futures Specialist at Morgan Stanley. She has taught the principles of price risk management to hundreds of senior energy industry executives and was the principal instructor for the highly regarded OPIS Fuel Hedging University for over 14 years. Now the instructor of Powerhouse’s Practical Hedging Course, Elaine has addressed many energy associations on risk management, including SIGMA, NEFI and NACS. Elaine is Past President of the National Capital Area Chapter of the U.S. Association for Energy Economics. She graduated summa cum laude from Marymount University in Virginia with a Bachelor in Business Administration with a concentration in finance.

Rich Larkin

Phil Baratz

We'll list the top 10 website features your company absolutely must have to compete in 2022, along with a healthy dose of industry stats and data that show what customers want and who they'll choose to do business with.

David Heiser

There is a very strong movement across the Northeast to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions through heat pump conversions. This session will present alternative approaches toward reducing GHG emissions using biofuels in existing oil-fired heating systems. The biofuels approach has the potential to reduce GHG at much lower cost and much sooner. A new concept for a zero-GHG home based on integrating solar PV and B100, and plans for demonstrations, will be presented.

Dr. Tom Butcher

Michael Devine

This session will include a report on all NORA Research & Development activities in the areas of biofuels and efficiency. This includes biodiesel field testing, development, and qualification of components for high biodiesel blends, filtration and fuel tanks, fuel-fired heat pumps, and progress on EL fuel.

Dr. Tom Butcher

Michael Devine

The energy industry is evolving and will continue to change. One thing that won’t change, though, will be the need for flexible, talented, and skilled employees. This discussion will focus on ways to attract and retain your workforce.

Jacqueline Aceituno

Alexandra Coleman

Often when you need service at your home, you think “I wish that I knew some basic things about . . ..” Heather will provide us with some tips and even some hands-on help that will give us the confidence to try something prior to calling for service. Whether it’s a nuisance plugged drain, a drippy faucet, or a toilet that just keeps running, we will explore first level repair responses.

Heather Wallek

Focus on the best practices for avoiding nuisance service calls in two specific areas: fuel pump sticking and plugged fuel filters.

Leo Verruso is the General Manager of Advanced Fuel Solutions and has been an active member of our industry for over 30 years. Leo is an active Board Member of the National Energy & Fuels Institute, as well as on the Board of Massachusetts Energy Marketers Association, where he serves on the Executive Committee. In addition to his position at AFS, Leo is the co-founder of Vets2Techs, a 501(c)(3) organization that helps connect United States Military Veterans with the workforce development needs of the energy industry.

This presentation is designed to help commission an oil supply system that will ensure consistent burner operation and safety, optimize combustion efficiency, and reduce liability potential.

Jim Todd

This presentation will focus on what can we expect and what must you know as it relates to Carlin residential burners’ updated design and future burner technology that will meet the demands of the industry today and into the future.

Sean Perkins

This seminar will provide helpful information on what to look for when inspecting aboveground oil tanks during annual tune-ups. It will also provide information on maintaining fuel oil tanks and educating your customers on oil tank maintenance.

Eric Missigman

Justine Missigman

This class will cover some of the common issues with regards to power venting and combustion air. We will go over wiring details as well as proper setup of the units.

Rick is a 49-year veteran of the heating industry. He worked for Connecticut’s largest retail fuel oil company in Hartford, CT, serving 11 years as Service Manager. He then transitioned into the manufacturer’s rep business, working for the past 18 years for JAD Associates, covering the New England states. The lines he represents include Field Controls, Allanson Ignitors, Midwest Snips, FPPF Fuel Additives and Enerco / Mr. Heater.

Rick is a certified NATE and NORA instructor for several different disciplines in the HVAC field, specializing in indoor air Quality and venting.

In addition to his responsibilities at JAD Associates, Rick is an active member of several OESP groups and serves as Secretary for the Connecticut Valley, New Haven and New England Tri-State chapters. He is a co-founder of the NETS chapter and served as President of the Connecticut Valley Chapter. In 2013 he was awarded OESP’s Lou Ehrich Memorial Associate of the Year Award and in 2021 he received the OESP Board of Directors’ Outstanding Achievement Award

Rick also serves as a member of the School Advisory Board at Entech Advanced Energy Training in Cromwell and was a member of the Craft Committee at Bristol Technical Vocational School.

This presentation will introduce Beckett’s new advanced burner controls, which will benefit our industry through simple programming and diagnostics. It will also cover how to troubleshoot burner operation using detailed burner fault history to identify both the issue and remedy.

Jeff Rozga is the Technical Trainer for R.W. Beckett in Northeast Ohio. Jeff has been with the company for over 42 years. He provides training to contractors, instructors, and distributor personnel. Jeff’s areas of responsibility have included manufacturing, product development, field applications and troubleshooting burner systems. He has taught over 800 classes in the U.S. and Canada on oil and gas fired heating systems along with electronic controls. Jeff currently serves on the Education Committee for OESP. Prior to that, Jeff also served on the NATE Technical Committee for over 10 years.

This presentation will focus on the newest developments in our full line of controls, to help the technician quickly and accurately complete the job.

Sean Perkins

This presentation will cover why testing is important to you and your customer, basic theories of combustion, hazards of carbon monoxide, making good measurements, and instrumentation care, maintenance, calibration and service.

Rick is employed as a Manufacturers Sales Representative for EDOS Manufacturers’ Reps in Granby, MA. Training is a huge part of what Rick does for EDOS and the manufacturers he represents, and he has also done many generic training sessions on products related to the new technology the industry is increasingly adopting. He also developed approved NORA technical training programs, so Continuing Education Units may be offered to technicians attending his classes. Rick is a member of the Board of Directors for ACANE and OESP and also serves on the Education Committee.