Employee Spotlight: Ken Strickhouser
Employee Spotlight: Ken Strickhouser
This January, we’d like to recognize Ken Strickhouser in our employee spotlight. Ken is one of our most experienced salesmen and has been employed at Aero Energy since 1976. He’s seen changes over these 45 years ranging from his duties at the company, to the introduction of new technologies and to even Aero’s name itself. We had the opportunity to sit down and learn about Ken’s time here:
Humble Beginnings:
Originally hired as a fuel delivery driver, Ken remembers as a child the Aero Oil truck coming up his driveway to deliver heating oil to his family’s home. Impressively, Ken’s family had been Aero customers since the 1940’s- a relationship that certainly contributed to his initial interest in working for Aero Energy. He sent an application to Aero and an application to Utz (a close neighbor if you’re familiar with the area). Lucky for us, Aero was the first of the two companies to get back to him. At the time, the company was still called Aero Oil and had not yet moved into the propane business. Though he started as a driver, Ken went on to spend some time working in the service department, the dispatch department, serving as a district manager and eventually working in the sales department where he’s continued for the last 10 years.
Commitment to Aero:
According to Ken, one of the main reasons he has stayed at Aero Energy all these years is because Aero is a family-oriented company. He recalls a time in which he was considering coaching his son’s soccer team but was concerned how the time requirements may conflict with work. His immediate superior told Ken, “you’re a fool if you don’t do it. When else will you have an opportunity like this?” and worked to ensure Ken’s hours could be flexible to accommodate this new commitment. Another reason his dedication to Aero Energy has been so unwavering is that he has always felt empowered to get the job done his way. In his words, he feels that Aero has “given him the freedom to be himself” and that he’s never felt pigeonholed. Ken takes great pride getting the job done (whatever it might be) both his way and in a way that he knows will be profitable and bring satisfaction to our customers.
A Lasting Legacy:
Ken admits there have been lots of lessons learned over the years, but it often boils down to the Golden Rule: Treat others the way you want to be treated. He described that although situations arose over the years that were negative by nature, rarely were their circumstances that you couldn’t improve upon with your own actions. As Ken prepares for his retirement, he reflects that “it has been a blessing to be associated with the many wonderful employees, past and present, that have made Aero Energy a first-class company and wonderful place to have worked.”
At Aero Energy, it is the people that create such positive experiences for our customers. Ken Strickhouser is an exemplar of the values and mission that we hold so dearly as an organization. We commend Ken for his decades of service and are proud to have him as one of the faces of this company.