The Hartford Chapter of the National Association of Oil Heat Service Managers (NAOHSM) was formed in 1968. The 5 original founding members were Tom Migliore of Mercury Oil, Boris Lashenka of Christy’s Fuel Oil, Bob McNamara of Automatic Comfort, Ted Keough of Automatic Comfort and Dan Murray of Baco Burner Supply. They were assisted by Bob Munn from another OESP Chapter. Originally the chapter met at Valle’s Restaurant in Hartford and was called CT. Valley rather than Hartford, hoping to draw members from throughout the region. The meetings were held at noon time, and their goal was to help educate the various service departments in all of the new breaking technology that was evolving in the industry.

In 2012, to coincide with the National Organization a name change was brought forth. We are now the CT Valley Chapter of Oil and Energy Service Professionals.(OESP) This was to reflect the changing climate of the industry. Many companies now deal in Solar, Geo-Thermal, Air Conditioning, HVAC and Gas Sales, Service, and Installations. Also, rather than limit the membership to just Service Managers we are reaching out to all professionals within the industry. Wholesalers, Manufacturers, Technicians, Apprentices, Instructors as well as Service Management personnel now make up our membership.

As time passed, the meeting place moved, from location to location, settling in at Chuck’s Steak House in Rocky Hill where they have been meeting for the past seven years. Also, along the way the meetings switched to dinner time. Throughout the years the mission has remained the same, educating the service department personnel, in all aspects of the industry.

The CT Valley chapter over the years has “adopted” area Technical Training Centers, including A. I. Prince Tech in Hartford, Cheney Tech in Manchester, ICPA Technical School in Cromwell and Bristol Tech Education Center in Bristol.

Fund raising efforts to support the educational and scholarship endeavors of the chapter have been varied over the years, but the main stay of The CT Valley Chapter has been the annual Lou Ehrich Oil Can Open Golf Tournament. Lou was a long time member in good standing of not just The CT Valley Chapter (his home chapter) but of 8 other chapters throughout New England. He was a fixture at all chapter meetings, as well as many National Conventions and Board of Directors Meetings. Lou epitomized what NAOHSM was all about. Education! Always the first to lend a helping hand or to impart his wealth of knowledge, he was known by many as Mr. Webster or Mr. Field Controls, due to his long term association with both of these products.

Another aspect of CT Valley’s mission over the past few years has been its participation in The Oil Heat Cares program. “OHC” is designed to help those homeowners who are less fortunate but do not qualify for Social Service Assistance, and have a heating system in need of repair or replacement. Many families in the area, as well as the region, have benefitted from this program. CT Valley members are very active in the fund raising efforts to help offset the costs associated with performing these tasks.

The CT Valley Chapter extends to everyone within the industry a warm invitation to join us at one of our meetings, or upcoming events. We offer a free 6 month trial membership to those interested in becoming a part of this fine organization.