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Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/230121
Vern Kelly Owner, Kelly Fuels Kelly Fuels in Shakopee, Minn., is a Shell-branded jobbership that handles the SuperAmerica brand as well as 25 Shell dealer customers. The company serves the greater Twin Cities metro area with petroleum delivery, diesel, gas and bulk fuel sales and lubricants. It also serves approximately 40 heating oil customers. The company has been owned and operated for more than 70 years by three generations of the Kelly family. "Vern is very devoted to the Minnesota marketers making sure their voices are heard," said Gilligan. "For (14) years Vern comes to our Day on the Hill (when PMAA, like other associations, arranges for a member lobbying effort in Washington, D.C.) and he works to visit every Minnesota legislator. He feels that it is his duty to educate congressional folk. His attitude is that if you don't educate them and they do the wrong thing then it is your fault. You should at least be trying to educate the congressmen and senators and it has resulted in some very positive things. "We'll have congressional staff call and say Vern was in our office last week and told us about this or that and he opened our eyes on the issue. He's done a yeoman's job taking that responsibility seriously. And believe me, traipsing around on Capitol Hill in May is not something that anybody wants to do. It's usually hot and busy but Vern does that." Gilligan noted that Kelly was probably one of the leading advisors when EPA proposed their SPCC rules in 2002. "Vern knew that those regulations could not possibly be met by marketers and he was in the front row urging PMAA to take some kind of action, because he said it was just impossible for marketers with bulk plants to comply." Kelly provided critical support with such initiatives as the fight against energy commodity speculation and opposing the wet lines initiative, among many others. Kelly has developed a number of strong relationships with Minnesota legislators, and has a solid rapport with Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.). "When I go out to D.C. for PMAA's Day on the Hill, it's fun to watch Vern work," said Kevin Thoma, executive director of the Minnesota Petroleum Marketers Association. He is well-versed in the issues and he communicates the issues positively with the www.npnweb.com n NPN Magazine folks from our delegation. If you take a look at our (congressional) delegation you would imagine there might be some opposition to the viewpoints we have, but he has a great relationship with Amy Klobuchar and immediately she recognizes Vern and she will always take a few extra minutes to meet with him and to discuss issues of concern. She wants to hear about our issues as well. He's a great communicator who tells a story in a great way." At the state level, Thoma noted Kelly is also a "goto" guy and that he works with the state's petroleum cleanup board to make sure that marketers and retailers are "getting a fair shake." Vern Kelly Matt Bjornson Owner, Bjornson Oil Company Bjornson Oil Company, headquartered in Cavalier, N.D., operates retail locations, a bulk plant and is a supplier of bulk fuels including gasoline and heating oil to other jobbers, commercial accounts and farmers. November/December 2013 17