Occupation: CEO & Founder, Energex Corporation

Special Interests/Hobbies: “Flying and sailing.”

Problems Facing the Pellet Fuel Industry: “Matching supply with demand in all geographic markets, so consumers always have fuel when they need it. Improving the perception of pellet appliances in the retail showroom; retailers selling a wood stove customer or a gas appliance are missing a sales opportunity by not upgrading to a pellet appliance first. Getting bulk fuel the last 10-50 feet from the bin to the appliance.”

Key Trends in the Pellet Fuel Industry and/or the Pellet Stove Industry: “Moving away from 40 lb. plastic bags to home delivery of bulk fuel. A majority of the capacity dedicated to the domestic consumer bag market is now certified under the Pellet Fuel Institutes’ Standards program; this program is the strictest pellet certification program in the world, which benefits consumers.”

Sales Forecast for Your Business in 2017: “Two record-warm winters in a row are a statistical anomaly – cold again in 2017! A longer winter will bring consumers back into showrooms this fall. Consumer confidence will increase as the economy grows again.”

Years Reading Hearth & Home: “Since it used to be called Wood ’n Energy. I first learned about the pellet industry in a Wood ’n Energy article in the ’80s.”

Reasons for Reading Hearth & Home: “It is the only trade magazine that closely follows industry news and trends. Great articles on retailer operations. The Business Climate section is invaluable; it provides the real, and sometimes hard, information. The various annual surveys are very enlightening, along with the periodic industry sector analysis.”

Article Ideas: “The Vesta Awards is an excellent franchise, but we miss the innovation from companies that don’t exhibit at Expo. What else is out there? More articles on the overall demographic parameters that affect our industry, plus regulatory issues that we have to face.”