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Press Releases:

The Ridgefield Press, December 4, 2003

UCONN honors Casey Fuel as Family Business.
The University of Connecticut Family Business Program honored Casey Fuel of Ridgefield Nov.25 as one of this year’s winners of the 2003 Connecticut Family Business of the Year Awards.

The award is a prestigious way to recognize and honor those family businesses that embody core family values and the best of American free enterprise, said Priscilla Cale, director of the University of Connecticut Family Business Program.

Twelve finalists were honored at the ceremony, which drew nearly 300 people, at the University of Connecticut’s South Campus Rome Ballroom.

The Connecticut Family Business of the Year Awards recognize successful family firms in three categories: small-sized businesses (5-39 employees), medium-sized businesses (40-99 employees) and large-sized businesses (over 100 employees). Winners are chosen by a panel of judges and evaluated based on business success, positive family and business linkage, multi-generational family involvement, dynamic contributions to community and industry, and innovative business practices or strategies.

Casey Fuel Company took first place in the Small Business Category.

"Family businesses are the cornerstone of Connecticut’s UConn honors economy, Ms. Cale said. There are over 70,000 small to mid-size privately held companies in our state, the lion’s share of which are family owned and operated. What these family firms have collectively contributed to their local communities, as well as communities on a global scale, is outstanding. This is a tremendous opportunity to give back to those who have already given so much "and we encourage others join us to celebrate in their achievements."

Ms. Cale added that family businesses account for over 90% of all businesses in the United States. They also produce half the United States gross national product and employ half the United State work force.

Casey Fuel was founded in 1949 by William H. Casey, who was known to many as Casey the Oilman. Bill Casey died in August 2002 at the age of 84.

His son Michael Casey was named president in 1976 and continues to run day to day operations.

Michael's son Shane recently joined the business after obtaining a master s degree in business administration from the University of Denver and will eventually take over the reins from his father.

Chip Brown, a son-in-law to Bill, worked for Casey Fuel for 30 years as vice president of operations before retiring in 1997. Chip passed his responsibilities on to his son Mike, the current vice president of operations.

The family values at Casey Fuel run deeper than blood, how-ever. Aileen Egan, a lifetime Ridgefield resident and vice president, is celebrating her 20th year with Casey Fuel, as is Arlette Perry of Newtown. Ron Tardiff of Bethel has driven a Casey Fuel delivery truck for 30 years, and recent retirees Joe Wilson and Neale Babcock spent 24 and 30 years in the field, respectively, before hanging up their uniforms.

The University of Connecticut Family Business Program is a member organization comprised of business-owning families. It is a place for Connecticut family businesses to network with university experts, leading industry professionals and fellow business owners to acquire education, seek professional advice and share ideas and experiences.

"The UConn Family Business Program’s annual Connecticut Family Business of the Year Awards ceremony is a tribute to Connecticut’s premier family businesses and the many contributions made by family firms - Connecticut’s most effective mechanism for creating jobs, security and wealth," Ms. Cale said.

For more information on the Connecticut Family Business of the Year Awards, contact Ms. Cale at 860-486-5628 or e-mail pcale@business.uconn.edu.