Pen Fern's Oil Company
    When Edwin L. Drake first struck oil in 1859 in Titusville, Pennsylvania, he discovered a fourth regional economy to accompany the area’s thriving timber, iron ore, and coal industries. Though the state has lost its reputation as a force in the oil business- with more productive fields in Texas, Oklahoma, and Alaska- Pen Fern Oil Company in Dallas has suited its customers’ home heating and fueling needs with more than 65 years of continuous service.
    “We have our fair share of loyal customers who keep on coming back, even going back to when my grandfather ran the business,”  said company President Eric May.
    Purchased in 1944 by May’s grandfather, Jason, the family-owned and operated business serves as a fuel and gasoline distributor while also providing homes with heating oil. Today, Pen Fern supplies local gasoline stations with Sunoco and Shell products and runs two convenient stores in the Back Mountain – Pen Mart and Subway.
    “Probably the most rewarding part of this job is the interaction with the customers,”  said May. “Being able to go out every day and see your clientele face to face is always nice. You begin to know the ‘regulars’ as they come in and out of the stores.”
    Perhaps Pen Fern’s clients are so devoted because of its employees’ ability to work around the clock, offering 24-hour emergency service to its home heating oil customers, providing automatic delivery, burner service, burner and furnace installation, kerosene, and heating fuel.
    “One of the most important aspects of this job is treating the customers well,”  said May. “If you don’t treat the customers well, then there’s no reason for them to come back. However, it’s also important to treat our employees with respect because they are the ones interacting with the customers, and if it weren’t for them (the employees), we wouldn’t be where we are today.”