Celebrating our 50th year, W. B. Steward and Son was founded by W. B. Steward Jr. in 1954. W. B. Steward Jr. bought a used oil truck and started knocking on doors. Building his business one account at a time. He continued to operate the business with his wife Pearl until 1962 when Donald W. Steward Sr. joined the firm full time. At this time the company went into the cooling business as well and became well known for its expertise in all phases of the installation and service of heating and cooling systems serving customers in the Gloucester, Camden and Salem County areas. W. B. was a strong supporter of industry associations. He was a former president of the Oil Heat Association of South Jersey and an active member of the Fuel Merchants Association of New Jersey. Don Sr. continued on in is father’s tradition and served as the President of the South Jersey Klinker Klub, Oil Heat Association of South Jersey and he is the immediate past president of the New Jersey Fuel Merchants Association as well as a current board member of NORA. A term of office as vice president of the Better Home Heat Council of Delaware Valley was also served. Don credits his involvement with the industry associations for part of his success in the heating oil business. Don Sr. is also an active in the Rotary Club of Woodbury, and is a former fire chief of 15 years and immediate past mayor of the Borough of Woodbury Heights where he served 12 years in that position. Donald W. Steward Jr. joined the firm in June of 1992. Don is experienced in all phases of the business and is the corporate vice president. Don Jr. is currently the president of the Oil Heat Association of South Jersey and he is a trustee from Gloucester County to the Fuel Merchants Association of New Jersey. The company has continued to grow in all phases of the business and is constantly looking for methods to improve itself and the industry. We have always been in the forefront as far as using the latest in equipment and installation and service techniques. We firmly believe in keeping our technicians up to date with their training and support them in that effort. All of the Steward technicians have a Testo Electronic Combustion Test Kit with a printer to verify all tests. With the recent purchase of a new truck and an acquisition of a 500 account company Steward & Son went with the electronic Liquid Controls meter LC-3 which is compatible with their Market Line computer system. This system utilizes a ram card which is uploaded with the delivery information for the day. At the end of the day the driver returns the ram card to the office and the complete information is downloaded into our Market Line system and the posting as well as the degree information for the next delivery is completed. With the use of this system Don Sr. says that it made it possible to do the acquisition without adding additional office staff. The future is bright for W. B. Steward & Son as we continue to evaluate our standing in the industry. We are constantly looking for ways to improve and grow. What does the future hold? At the present time a new web page is being designed by John Gillespie of RGB Systems. Our goal is to allow our customers to be able to access their basic customer information such as balance, last delivery, projected next delivery and other pertinent services. We are considering equipping all our Service technicians with Wireless Palm devices. The “Freeway” program interfaces with our Market Line Total Fuel Program. This will allow us to upload work orders to the technicians in the field. They will have access to the Total Fuel database service records including amongst many things warranty and past history information. The work orders will be completed in the field and like the Lectro Count oil ticket printer system, will flow through the Total Fuel Service Billing posting file ready to be reviewed and billed. Additionally, Don Jr. is looking at GPS systems for all route management of the Steward vehicles and Don Sr. is looking forward to the day when he can turn the business over to Don Jr. and concentrate on his grandchildren saltwater fishing with his wife.