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Press Releases

Mark Valenti Promoted to Senior Account Executive

December 31, 2009

Mark Valenti has been promoted to Senior Account Executive at Castle Oil Corporation. Mark is a long tenured and well respected member of the fuel oil industry. His superior industry knowledge has made him an important member of the Castle team and a dependable Mark Valenti source of information and service for our customers. Mark joined Castle as an account executive in 2006. His prior experience in the fuel oil industry includes sales positions and Operations Manager of Lewis Oil Company and General Manager of Sterling Petroleum, including oversight of its 2002 acquisition by Lewis Oil.

“Mark’s wealth of experience in fuel oil sales and delivery operations has given him a unique ability to understand all aspects of what it takes to provide superior service to the customer. Our customers benefit enormously from Mark’s ability to get the job done in satisfying their energy and equipment needs” said Joseph Colonel, Senior Vice President of Sales. “We are pleased that Mark’s achievements have been recognized with this promotion. His experience and professionalism make him a true team player upon whom our customers have come to depend,” said Carla Romita, Senior Vice President.hat Mark’s achievements have been recognized with this promotion. His experience and professionalism make him a true team player upon whom our customers have come to depend,” said Carla Romita, Senior Vice President.

Established in 1928, Castle Oil Corporation is the largest independent fuel oil distributor in the New York metropolitan area, serving thousands of residential and commercial property owners.

Castle Oil Corporation: Mark Schildwachter Joins The Castle Family

Mark Schildwachter has joined Castle Oil Corporation. Mark was previously Vice President of Fred M. Schildwachter and Sons, Inc., where he was most recently responsible for all retail sales. Mark grew up in the oil business and performed just about every job at Schildwachter from driving delivery trucks to fuel supply management and hedging. Mark is a graduate of Hofstra University where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration.

Mark Schildwachter

Mark Schildwachter

“Mark Schildwachter has an extraordinary wealth and depth of experience in the fuel oil industry. His commitment to building long term customer relationships gives him a unique ability to provide superior service to Castle’s customers. Our customers will benefit enormously from Mark’s proven expertise to satisfy their energy needs. We are very pleased to welcome Mark to the Castle family. His experience and professionalism will ensure the highest level of service that our customers have come to expect and depend on,” said Carla Romita, Senior Vice President.

Established in 1928, Castle Oil Corporation is the largest independent fuel oil distributor in the New York metropolitan area, serving thousands of residential and commercial property owners.

Castle Oil Corporation: Stephen Centineo Joins Sales Department

August 15, 2008

Stephen Centineo has joined Castle Oil Corporation as an Account Executive. Mr. Centineo has more than 17 years of sales and marketing experience in the fuel oil industry. Prior to joining Castle, he was Senior Sales Executive of Empire State Fuel Oil where he was responsible for commercial and residential fuel oil sales. Empire was sold to Amerada Hess in 2007.

"Stephen’s wealth of experience in fuel oil sales and his commitment to building strong customer relationships give him a unique ability to understand what it takes to provide superior service to the customer. Our customers will benefit enormously from Stephen’s proven ability to get the job done in satisfying their energy needs” said Joseph Colonel, Senior Vice President for Sales. “We are pleased to welcome Stephen to Castle. His experience and professionalism make him a true team player that our customers can depend on,” said Carla Romita, Senior Vice President.

Established in 1928, Castle Oil Corporation is the largest independent fuel oil distributor in the New York metropolitan area, serving thousands of residential and commercial property owners.

Castle Oil Corporation: King of the Castle

(As seen in the Mann Report of Jan 2008)

Michael Romita is Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Castle Oil Corporation. "Big Mike," as he is known around the office, is the senior member of the Romita family. Mike Romita began his tenure working in the coal yard every day after school at what was then known as Castle Coal Company, the business which his father, Mauro Sr., founded in the 1930's.

Although it can truly be said that Mike grew up in the industry, he officially joined the company in 1942. His initial responsibilities included weighing coal trucks, making sales calls, and, on occasion, driving a delivery truck. A quick study with keen natural business acumen, he quickly became involved in every facet of the business. Mike has been at the helm of Castle as its Chief Executive Officer since 1968.

Under Mike Romita's direction, Castle has grown from a coal and fuel oil retail seller into the largest independent fuel oil distributor in the New York metropolitan area. Castle owns, operates, and maintains a fleet of 90 tank trucks as well as over 25 service vehicles. The company also owns two marine terminals boasting over 40 million gallons of storage capacity. The Bronx terminal is a deep-water facility capable of accepting deliveries from ocean going oil tankers. Michael was instrumental in seeking out the opportunites to purchase the terminals and sheperding the transactions through to closing.

After more than sixty years of experience in the energy industry, Mike is widely respected as one of the industry's elder statesmen. At a time when many of his successful business contemporaries have retired to the golf course and other leisure pursuits, Big Mike arrives in the office each morning eager to impart the sage advice his employees and customers seek from him. There is often a queue outside his office as he sees to it that everyone who needs him gets a fair share of his attention. Mike has regular involvement in the cultivation and maintenance of key customer relationships, and he spends as much time visiting customers and prospecting for new customers as he does inside the office.

When Castle started acquiring fuel oil storage terminals in the early 1980's, Big Mike was heavily involved in the development of Castle's wholesale business and the creation of the company's supply and marketing department. With the assistance of the Senior Vice President of Supply and Marketing and the wholesale sales staff, Michael continues to seek out new opportunities for wholesale business and is actively engaged in managing existing customer relationships.

Michael's presence in the office is a great resource for everyone at Castle. His unparalleled lifelong commitment to Castle's customers and employees inspires Castle's company-wide commitment to caring for its customers and serving as an industry leader. Castle has been in business for eight decades and Michael Romita has been there through all of it. This kind of true stability is rare in an industry where companies can come and go very easily.

Castle's longevity is no accident. Michael, as his father before him, demands a standard of excellence that is unmatched in the industry. "My father built this business one account at a time and that is how we have continued to grow it over 80 years. Our customers are a part of our Castle family, and I insist that every Castle employee understand that we will do whatever it takes to keep them well cared for," noted Big Mike.

Mike has been married to his lovely wife, Betty, for 15 years. He has one son, the prominent plastic surgeon Dr. Mauro Romita, a granddaughter and two great-grandchildren. His knowledge and guidance remain keys for positioning Castle for continued success in the future. He is, without question, "King of the Castle."

Louis Romita,Sr., Senior Vice President Dies at Age 78

April 11, 2007

Louis Romita, Sr., Senior Vice President of Castle Oil Corporation, brother of Michael, Mary Digirolamo, Jack and Mauro C. Romita died on April 10, 2007. His family was at his bedside.

He was born in the Bronx on August 14, 1928 to Libertaria and Mauro Romita, in the same year that his father founded Castle Coal and Oil. He began working for the company as a boy after school. He joined Castle full time in 1945 and performed almost every job in the company, from delivery truck driving to sales. Mr. Romita eventually assumed full responsibility for the dispatching department and remained, until his death, the senior Romita in charge of commercial and public bids. Mr. Romita had been a key relationship manager for many of the company’s most important and largest customers. He also served on the company’s board of directors. Mr. Romita was a long-time member of the New York Athletic Club and was recently honored by the Grand Street Boys' Association for his dedicated support. He had an encyclopedic knowledge of New York City buildings and knew people from all walks of life. He was well loved by those who knew him for his unpretentious, outspoken and fun-loving personality. Known for his wry and witty sense of humor, he will be deeply missed by his family and Castle’s extended family of employees and customers.

Castle Oil Corporation: The Wearing of the Castle Green

March 17, 2007

Castle Oil Corporation’s Account Executives are all industry leaders when it comes to servicing our customers’ energy needs and consulting with them to determine the most cost effective and energy efficient manner in which to run their buildings. Joe Brady is a unique leader among his peers and his extraordinary skills will be on display for the world, especially New York City, to see when he leads the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade up Fifth Avenue on Saturday, March 17, 2007. Joe has led this largest civilian parade in the entire world each year since 1990 as Pipe Major of the Famed Fighting 69th Regiment (NYARNG).

Not all of our customers know of his extraordinary talents on the bagpipes, but Joe was named the “personal piper” to the Governor during the Pataki administration, has performed for Presidents Reagan and Bush and has even piped in places as far away as Europe and the Far East. He has competed in and been recognized in many prestigious piping competitions and has performed with the Chieftains and Wolftones, among others. Joe is not selfish with his talents. He has taught piping to the FDNY Pipe Band, was director of music at West Point (USMC) and even founded the FBI Emerald Society – Marine Corps Pipe Band, leading them to many championships. Currently, Joe is Pipe Major of the Monaghan Grade 2 Pipe Band based in the Bronx, NY.

His singular mix of strengths and talents makes him an invaluable member of the Castle team and we are delighted that he is able to share his considerable musical talent with our great city in such a uniquely New York celebration.

Established in 1928, Castle Oil Corporation is the largest independent fuel oil and natural gas distributor in the New York metropolitan area, serving thousands of residential and commercial property owners.

Castle Oil Corporation: Castle Executive Vice President, Michael N. Romita, Receives Associated Builders and Owners Award

November 10, 2006

Castle Oil Corporation Executive Vice President, Michael N. Romita, received the Emma Lazarus Award from the Associated Builders and Owners of Greater New York on November 9, 2006 before a crowd of over five hundred real estate professionals at the New York Marriot Marquis.

ABO gave Mr. Romita the award in recognition of his outstanding contributions to New York City business. Mr. Romita is responsible for the management of Castle’s company-wide business operations and is the President of Castle Power LLC, the company’s natural gas subsidiary. Mr. Romita serves on the boards of directors of the National Oil heat Research Alliance (NORA) and the Independent Fuel Terminal Operators Association (IFTOA) and is a trustee of the Teamsters Local 553 Pension Fund. He is involved in several charities and is Chairman of the Board of MINT – Mental Health Initiative – a foundation for Mental Health which is dedicated to the prevention and cure of mental disorders.

“I am honored to be recognized in this way by an organization whose work is so beneficial and vital to the real estate industry in New York. Castle is proud to be a member of the ABO,” said Mr. Romita.

Established in 1928, Castle Oil Corporation is the largest independent fuel oil distributor in the New York metropolitan area, serving thousands of residential and commercial property owners.

Castle Oil Corporation: Mark Valenti Joins Sales Department

August 15, 2006

Mark Valenti has joined Castle Oil Corporation as an Account Executive. Mr. Valenti’s prior experience in the fuel oil industry includes sales positions and Operations Manager of Lewis Oil Company and General Manager of Sterling Petroleum, including oversight of its 2002 acquisition by Lewis Oil.

“Mark’s wealth of experience in fuel oil sales and delivery operations give him a unique ability to understand all aspects of what it takes to provide superior service to the customer. Our customers will benefit enormously from Mark’s proven ability to get the job done in satisfying their energy and equipment needs” said Joseph Colonel, Senior Vice President of Sales. “We are pleased to welcome Mark to Castle. His experience and professionalism make him a true team player that our customers can depend on,” said Carla Romita, Senior Vice President.

Established in 1928, Castle Oil Corporation is the largest independent fuel oil distributor in the New York metropolitan area, serving thousands of residential and commercial property owners.

Castle Oil Corporation: Colonel Is Senior Vice President For Sales

June 7, 2006

Joseph W. Colonel has been promoted to Senior Vice President for Sales of Castle Oil Corporation. Mr. Colonel will manage all aspects of commercial, industrial and large residential sales of the firm. Mr. Colonel was formerly the Vice President for Institutional Sales, in which capacity he managed Castle's industrial and commercial sales as well as Castle's Customer Care Center. Mr. Colonel is a graduate of Pace University, where he received his Bachelor's degree in Accounting and his Master of Business Administration in Finance.

"Joe Colonel is a well respected and long-tenured member of our industry. His unique mix of strengths and talents has made him an invaluable member of the Castle team and we are pleased that he is eagerly taking on these new responsibilities. This is a family business built on a foundation of unmatched integrity, service and team effort," explained Mauro C. Romita, President and Chief Operating Officer. "Joe is a talented and solid player who will bring greater professionalism and customer focus to our sales team."

Established in 1928, Castle Oil Corporation is the largest independent fuel oil distributor in the New York metropolitan area, serving thousands of residential and commercial property owners.

Castle Oil Corporation: Executive Vice President Participates in Energy Forum

October 20, 2005
On October 19, 2005, Castle Oil Corporation Executive Vice President, Michael N. Romita, addressed an audience of local business people at an energy forum sponsored by the Westchester County Association and held at the Performing Arts Center at SUNY Purchase.

Mr. Romita commented on recent developments in fuel oil and natural gas markets and on government statistical information and trends. According to Mr. Romita, although no one can predict the market with certainty, the U.S. Department of Energy anticipates that fuel oil prices will moderate substantially and should remain more consistent in the years ahead.

"We did not arrive at these lofty prices overnight, and it will take increased global production capacity, slowing of international demand, and increased domestic refinery capacity to bring the market back. The federal government reports that we are moving in that direction," he said.

Mr. Romita further noted that a recent industry survey of fuel oil users indicated that many consumers were focusing on what steps they could take to lower their energy costs this winter. "Taking active conservation measures is the easiest way for consumers to reduce their bills. Make sure your heating equipment is tuned-up and cleaned. Keep your homes and businesses well insulated. Consider replacing older equipment with newer, high efficiency fuel oil equipment. Discuss payment options with your provider. The savings could be substantial."

Finally, Mr. Romita noted that Westchester's competitive market, secure inventory capacity, and delivery infrastructure, made it an advantageous place to be a fuel oil user.

"Our executives participate in many energy related panels and industry associations. This energy expertise is just one of the many value added services we provide to our customers at Castle," said Carla Romita, Senior Vice President.

Contact: Carla L. Romita, (914) 381-6506 or cromita@castle.us

Castle In The News (Articles are from The Mann Report unless otherwise specified)

Oil - A Safe, Reliable Supply for the U.S.A. by Carla L. Romita, February 2008 (PDF)

Are Your Energy Dollars Slipping Through a Loophole? by Carla L. Romita, Jan 2008 (PDF)

A Delivery Integrity Policy:DoesYour Oil Dealer Have One? by Carla L. Romita, Dec 2007 (PDF)

Oil Prices Still in the Headlines by Carla L. Romita, October 2007 (PDF)

Getting Every Drop by Carla L. Romita, September 2007 (PDF)

PlaNYC Proposed Energy Mandates by Carla L. Romita, July/August 2007

Installations and Maintenance by Carla L. Romita, June 2007 (PDF)

At Your Service by Carla L. Romita, April 2007 (PDF)

It All Boils Down to Efficiency by Carla L. Romita, March 2007 (PDF)

Balancing A System by Carla L. Romita, February 2007 (PDF)