IDEAL Friday Member Update: Board of Directors Election Results, Business Services Partner Spotlights
Updated: Sep 29
The Latest IDEAL News!
September is moving right along!
The temperatures are starting to drop, and that means the heating season is right around the corner. As customers begin turning systems back on and demand starts to build, fuel availability, supply planning, transportation, and communication become even more important. Now is the time to be thinking ahead, checking in with your suppliers, and making sure you have the connections in place to navigate the season ahead.
We’re continuing our Business Services Partner spotlight this month, showcasing the people and companies in the IDEAL network who can help with everything from operations and financial planning to marketing, communications, technology, and more. And remember — you don’t have to wait until you need something to reach out. The relationships you’ve built with IDEAL Partners can be a valuable resource when the season gets busy.
We’re also excited to share the Fuel-Local® press release announcing the movement and the work happening behind it. We’d love your help spreading the word! Please share it with your customers, community, industry contacts, or on your own social channels. And if you haven’t visited yet, check out fuel-local.com to learn more.
A big thank you to everyone who attended the 2026 Special Meeting. And congratulations to Evan Pittsley of JaySan and Rob Levene of Levco Tech, our newest members of the IDEAL Board of Directors! We’re looking forward to having them bring their experience and perspective to the Board.
We also want to thank our outgoing Board representatives, Ted Fabian and Brent MacKenzie, for their time, leadership, and commitment to IDEAL. While Brent is stepping away from the Board, we’re happy to say he’ll continue serving as an IDEAL Ambassador.
As always, if there’s a Partner you’ve been meaning to connect with, a supply question you’ve been thinking about, or something you think IDEAL can help with, it’s not too late to reach out. The relationships and connections within this network are meant to be used — especially as we head into the busy season.
Let’s get ready for fall!
Happy to help, Amy West - Cooperative Administrator |
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Thank You to Those Who Give Their Time to IDEAL IDEAL is stronger because of the people who are willing to step up, share their experience, and invest their time in our cooperative. Thank you to our Board of Directors for your leadership, commitment, and continued dedication to IDEAL and our Member-Owners. We also want to recognize and thank our Ambassadors, Barry Knox and Brent MacKenzie, and our committee members who contribute their time and expertise: Partner Sub-Committee Members Ryan Jackson, Rob Levene, Katie Braymer-Hayes and Kris Magnusson, and Member-Owner Sub-Committee Members Rob Shibley, Sue Surner, Carter Vaillancourt and Kris Magnusson.
We appreciate you! Your involvement helps shape the future of IDEAL, and there are many ways to get involved beyond the Board and committees. If you’re interested in taking a more active role in the future of IDEAL, please reach out to Amy at amy@idealenergycooperative.com. We’d love to hear from you! |
The IDEAL Business Services Partners |
Meet the Team: Business Services Partners – Part Two
Running an independent fuel or HVAC business means wearing a lot of hats. Fortunately, you don’t have to be the expert in everything. Our Business Services Partners bring expertise in technology, risk management, education, coaching, marketing, payments, and industry-specific software — giving Member-Owners access to resources that can help solve problems, improve operations, and plan for what’s ahead. Take a look at a few more of the people in your IDEAL network and, as always, don’t be afraid to reach out and start a conversation. |
Tiger Payment Processing 
Valuepoint Technology 
Risk Canopy The Redwood Group 
Masters Plumbing and Gas School
Technology should make your business easier, not more complicated. ValuePoint Technology helps businesses assess their technology needs, develop a strategy, select the right solutions, and manage technology projects. Whether you’re looking to improve your systems, address a technology challenge, or make better use of the tools you already have, ValuePoint can help connect technology decisions to your business goals.
Payments are a daily part of doing business, and the right payment solution can make things easier for both your team and your customers. Tiger Payment Solutions provides payment processing solutions tailored to business needs, helping companies manage transactions while providing technology, support, and service. For Member-Owners looking to simplify or evaluate their payment processes, Tiger is another resource within the IDEAL network. |
Fuel prices and commodity markets can create real challenges for independent businesses. Risk Canopy provides technology and services designed to help companies better understand and manage commodity price risk. Their tools can support hedging, pricing decisions, reporting, and risk management — giving businesses greater visibility into the factors that can impact margins.
A knowledgeable, properly trained team is one of your greatest assets. Master’s Plumbing & Gas School provides education and training for plumbing, gasfitting, and LP professionals, including courses designed to support licensing and continuing education. It’s a resource for businesses looking to develop their employees, strengthen their skills, and keep learning within the industry. |
Hornick School of Coaching 
Cross Insurance Agency 
Radar108 marketing technology solutions 
Destwin Energy Services
Strong businesses are built by strong teams. Hornick Coaching focuses on developing better leaders, managers, and coaches through practical coaching and communication skills. Whether you’re an owner looking to strengthen your leadership approach or a manager working to get more from your team, coaching can provide tools to improve communication, accountability, and employee development.
Protecting your business takes more than a standard insurance policy. Cross Insurance works with businesses to understand their risks and build insurance programs around their specific needs. With expertise across commercial insurance, employee benefits, and risk management, they can help Member-Owners evaluate coverage, identify potential gaps, and protect the business, employees, property, and assets that keep things running. |
Getting customers’ attention is only the first step — staying connected matters, too. Radar 108 combines marketing technology, strategy, and support to help businesses generate leads, communicate with customers, manage marketing campaigns, and track results. Their tools can help take some of the guesswork out of marketing while creating more consistent customer engagement.
Destwin understands the unique technology needs of fuel and energy businesses. Their industry-specific solutions connect many of the moving pieces of a fuel operation, including customer accounts, fuel ordering, payments, service scheduling, contracts, marketing, and risk management. The goal is to help fuel dealers streamline operations while giving customers an easier way to interact with their company. |
Will AI find you when customers are looking? |
Your Next Customer Has Two Brains to Win Over
This heating season, homeowners asking "Who should I call?" won't just ask a neighbor. They'll ask an AI assistant, and it will name only two or three companies.
That means every home services business now markets to two audiences:
The good news: the strongest signals serve both. Detailed reviews, real team photos, plain-language FAQs, and consistent business info build trust with homeowners and confidence with AI.
Try the two-minute AI Test: Ask ChatGPT or Google, "Who's the best heating oil company near [your town]?" Do you show up?
Read the Full 90-Day Playbook on Radar108 → https://rdr.bz/3c Trade-specific tips and a month-by-month plan from first frost to deep freeze.
Ready to win both traditional and AI powered audiences?
Create surveys and get more reviews to power your website content. Turn happy customers into your strongest signal for AI to learn from. Start collecting more reviews on Radar108 → Sign up here: https://rdr.bz/w5
Also, claim your free Open4Biz listing (your small business listing Marketplace )→ https://open4biz.today Add a verified signal for your website where people and machines look.
Brought to you by RADAR108 |
IN THE NEWS |
Fuel-Local®: Local Energy Starts With Local People
IDEAL Energy Cooperative is proud to officially launch Fuel-Local®, a consumer education movement created by IDEAL Member-Owners to celebrate and support independent, locally owned fuel delivery, HVAC and energy businesses. Fuel-Local® gives these businesses a collective voice to share the stories behind the people who deliver energy, serve their customers and contribute to their communities.
At its heart, Fuel-Local® is about helping consumers understand why local matters—from supporting local jobs and keeping dollars in the community to building relationships that can span generations. The movement belongs to the Member-Owners who participate, bringing together dozens of independent businesses with different communities and stories, but a shared commitment to being there for the people they serve.
Fuel-Local® is more than a campaign. It’s a celebration of the businesses, people and communities that keep local energy moving.
Source: IDEALEnergyCooperative.com/post/
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TAC Energy Market Talk - Growing Impact of Drone Strikes September 22, 2026
TACenergy’s latest Market Talk Report highlights the growing impact of drone strikes on Russian refining infrastructure. According to the report, 28 of 33 Russian refineries have been targeted, reducing refining capacity by more than 50%.
The report takes a closer look at the increasing frequency of these attacks and the resulting disruptions to Russia’s refining sector. With a significant portion of refining capacity affected, the developments could have broader implications for global oil supply, refined product availability, and market volatility. TACenergy provides additional analysis and market perspective throughout the report, making it a worthwhile read as we watch developments unfold.
Source: TAC Energy Market Talks
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Coast Guard Ramps Up Security for UN General Assembly
The U.S. Coast Guard and partner agencies are increasing maritime security measures in the New York City area ahead of the 81st United Nations General Assembly, taking place this week. Enhanced security operations include temporary restrictions and increased patrols on the East River and surrounding waterways to help protect the event and the many world leaders and dignitaries attending.
Mariners and commercial operators in the affected areas should be aware of temporary waterway restrictions, safety zones and potential delays during the event. The Coast Guard encourages the maritime community to monitor local notices and follow instructions from law enforcement and maritime authorities.
Source: USCG News |
Weather Watch: Nor’easter Heading Our Way
A strong early-season nor’easter is expected to impact the East Coast through the weekend, bringing periods of heavy rain, gusty winds, coastal flooding and rough surf from the Mid-Atlantic into New England. The strongest winds and heaviest rain are expected across coastal and southeastern New England Friday into Saturday, with some wind gusts potentially exceeding 50 mph.
For our Member-Owners, this is a good reminder to keep an eye on local forecasts, prepare for potential power outages and challenging travel conditions, and make sure customers are prepared for the weekend weather. Conditions and the storm track may continue to change, so stay weather aware and check local advisories as the storm develops.
Source: weather.com
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