Nimble …
A Salute to Ernie Rhymer — Senior Vice President of Construction
Quality in the Community
It’s A Laughing Matter and Gracie Relaxes
Spring Safety Tips
Chesapeake Petroleum Tank Farm
A Really Big WOW
QOC Who’s Who
Quality Oil Annual Meeting
Quality Plus Opens New Locations
Dealer Corner: New Quality People
Thermo Pride Donates Furnace
Baca Receives U.S. Citizenship
2006 Service Awards
Hospitality News
We’re Growing

Spring 2006 News

Core Ideology

To do it because it is right To treat others as we would like to be treated To be financially responsible To be better today than yesterday

Nimble …

One definition is to be “light and quick.” Let me be quick to say thank you and congratulate everyone on a mighty good year last year, which your profit sharing statements should have indicated. It was indeed an entire team effort in every division. Our success over the years has not come by accident, as our belief in our Core Ideology and disciplines toward operational targets, owner-operator attitude, and better communication have paid dividends. Thanks!!

Now let’s talk about “nimble.” We cannot rest on our past successes, as we must continue to raise the bar and “be better today than yesterday.” This will be easier for us to do because of the beliefs in systems that I mentioned above. When I think of nimble, Southwest Airlines comes to mind. When all of the old, big airlines are struggling or filing for bankruptcy with their high operating cost and old attitudes, Southwest Airlines has been extremely profitable and growing rapidly.

Why? The best and quickest way I know how to describe it is to say they have the “Quality Spirit.” They have an extremely thorough recruitment and training program. But what they do best and what keeps them “nimble” is that they empower — train — and motivate. Sound familiar? This is our challenge and major focus for 2006 — to empower everyone to be dedicated to recruitment and training so our entire team is motivated together to be “nimble” toward “operational excellence.”

- Graham Bennett

Graham Bennett, President

A Salute to Ernie Rhymer — Senior Vice President of Construction

To describe Ernie the best, I would say he succeeds at what he does through quiet confidence. His background of achievements even before joining Quality Oil Company over 26 years ago are many, one notable is that he developed and built Land of Oz at Beech Mountain Resorts.

Whenever I go across this state, it is amazing how many people know and respect Ernie. He earned that respect by following his golden rule — always treating people as he would like to be treated. Ernie’s talents are amazing but two stand out: first, his positive and respectful outlook toward the people he works with and deals with; second, he is a genius when it comes to developing a piece of property with many challenges and visualizing its potential. One of his greatest assets is his ability to walk into a tense situation and automatically calm the waters and bring people to a positive solution.

To summarize Ernie, he is not only a real producer of success but also a great ambassador for Quality Oil … I am proud to say I work with him.

— Graham Bennett

Ernie Rhymer
Senior Vice President of Construction

These men serve as volunteers in their community fire departments. Left to right: Russell Day, Propane Department, seven years of service with Reeds Fire Department in Davidson County; Shawn Cline, QOC Safety and Loss Prevention Manager, eight years of service with Gumtree Fire and rescue and recently with Rural Hall Fire/Rescue in Forsyth County; Grady Galiher, Fuel Oil Department, 20+ years of service with Davie Rescue Squad in Davie County.

Patients at the new Cancer Center of Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center can look out their window and see Quality Oil Company’s message to them. The sign was erected last summer atop Cloverdale Shell, 2020 Cloverdale Avenue in Winston-Salem. We have had numerous good comments about the sign.

It’s A Laughing Matter

Did you know?

Many years ago in Scotland, a new game was invented. It was ruled “Gentlemen Only … Ladies Forbidden” … and thus the word GOLF entered into the English language.

Gracie Relaxes!!

Gracie… the adopted cat of Danny Stroud, Senior Vice President of Operations, … just sits and surveys her domain! Danny says this is her favorite way to rest and relax!

Chesapeake Petroleum Tank Farm

Mike Cole is the Terminal Manager at Reliable Tank Line’s Chesapeake, Virginia tank farm. Mike has more than 25 years in the petroleum transportation business. He joined Reliable in July 2004 as a driver and became Terminal Manager in December 2005. The Chesapeake tank farm receives petroleum products by way of the Colonial pipeline and by barge through the Port of Hampton Roads. When Reliable tanker trucks leave the Chesapeake tank farm they are carrying almost 9,000 gallons of gasoline bound for eastern North Carolina and Virginia locations. — Danny Stroud

The Chesapeake Terminal office building.

Mike Cole, Manager of the Chesapeake Terminal

Reliable tankers waiting to load.

Area Facts The Colonial Pipeline delivers a daily average of 100 million gallons of gasoline, home heating oil, aviation fuel and other refined petroleum products to communities and businesses throughout the South and Eastern United States. More than 55 million short tons of cargo go through The Port of Hampton Roads every year. Chesapeake is a very strategic location for Reliable Tank Line.

About five years ago, the Poppante family stopped at Quality Mart #37 on Country Club Road in Winston-Salem, NC. While inside the store, Emma, their seven-year-old daughter, was given a quarter for a gumball by the Associate on duty. She had such a great time playing the gumball machine that she now goes inside for a free gumball and a chance to win a prize every time her parents stop for gas. Emma says she enjoys coming in because of the friendly people who work there and, of course, a free gumball.

Emma wanted to show her support for her favorite Quality Mart, so last Halloween she worked hard to make her own costume … and here it is! Now that’s what you call customer loyalty.

— Haywood Stroupe

QOC Who’s Who

Amanda James
Shift Leader, Quality Mart #42
Lewisville, NC

Why I applied: “I came in as a customer a few times when I moved back to Lewisville from Columbus, OH, and I really liked the people in the store. It seemed like a very good place to work … so here I am!”

Interests: Horseback riding, creative writing, wine tasting and reading.

What I like about my job: Talking to different people. “I just want to make someone’s day a little better with a smile.”

Words of praise: “She knows what to do and makes sure it is done.”

— Haywood Stroupe

Burnsville Quality Plus
901 Highway 19 East
Burnsville, NC
Managed by Harrison Galloway
Opened February 16, 2006

Mt. Airy Quality Plus
2170 West Pine Street
Mt. Airy, NC 27030
Managed by Phillip Spencer
Opened March 23, 2006

New Quality People

• Quality Oil Company would like to welcome Robert and Carol Ott to the service station group. Robert and Carol have recently opened 109 Shell on Thomasville Road in Winston- Salem. They have resided in Kernersville for almost two years and are originally from Sothington, Connecticut. Robert has an extensive background in manufacturing and a strong interest in automotive repair and maintenance. Joining the Otts in their new business venture are Pat and Faith Bruschino, also from Connecticut.

• Cloverdale Shell located in Winston Salem is also under new ownership. Randy and Lynne Davis have purchased the station from Kenneth and Elaine Williams. Randy and Lynne also own J-MedicCar Care Center on Shattalon Drive in northern Winston-Salem. Randy is an ASE Master Mechanic-certified technician with twelve previous years of dealership experience. The staff and management of Quality Oil Company extend a hearty welcome to all at 109 Shell and Cloverdale Shell.

—Danny Brown and Carolyn Simmons

Thermo Pride Donates Furnace

Frank Deare, Territory Manager for Thermo Pride, presented Mike Greer, Service Manager HVAC for Quality Oil, with the latest oil furnace. Thermo Pride has also donated a propane furnace for training purposes and regularly sends a representative to keep us current on all equipment. We have a fully functional training facility where technicians can train on oil and propane equipment. Quality Oil Company is the largest Thermo Pride dealer in North Carolina.

— Danny Stroud

Baca Receives U.S. Citizenship

Junior Baca, a Reliable Tank Line driver, became a U.S. Citizen on January 10, 2006.

A native of Venezuela, he came to the U.S. in 1994 and served in the U.S. Marine Corp before coming to Quality Oil.

He is married with two children and lives in Clemmons, NC.

2006 Service Awards

Left to right: Kim Williamson, Mike Shuler, William Pittman, Don Baker, Mike Kidd, Rob Hill and Amy Reynolds with their Lighthouse Awards.

Linda Battista, Hampton Inn and Suites of Jacksonville, FL, receives the Lighthouse Award.

We’re Growing

Construction has started in Atlanta/Lawrenceville, Georgia on the 110-unit Homewood Suites. Pride Construction Company of Memphis, Tennessee is the general contractor that will be handling the project for Quality Oil Company. The expected opening date is January 30, 2007.

Russ Jackson with Pride Construction has officially broken ground and plans to have the foundation for the building completed in April.

The Homewood Suites site during preparation for the new hotel.