EMA Fall Meeting Recap
Glenn Hasken Elected as 2026 EMA Chair

This week’s EMA Fall Meeting at the Intercontinental Magnificent Mile in Chicago was a huge success. EMA’s Board of Directors elected Glenn Hasken of Molo Companies in Dubuque, Iowa as EMA’s 2026 Chair; Lewis Wall of Davenport Energy, Inc. in Chatham, Virginia as 1^st Vice Chair; Tom Frawley of Summit Distribution, LLC in Lyne, New Hampshire as 2^nd Vice Chair; with Jim Lipscomb of Lipscomb Oil Company, Inc. in Greenville, Mississippi as the 2026 Immediate Past Chair.

Conference attendees celebrated EMA’s highest individual honor, the 2025 Distinguished Service Award recipient, Grady Gaubert, President of Gaubert Oil Company based in southern Louisiana. Grady is a past EMA Chairman and a widely respected leader in the energy distribution industry. Gaubert Oil has grown under Grady’s leadership into a vertically integrated operation that spans wholesale fuel distribution, convenience retailing, marine support services, and the company operates four bulk plants and distributes major branded fuels across Louisiana and Mississippi. Of the honor, Grady stated that, “Working through EMA’s leadership ranks has been one of the most rewarding chapters of my career. The relationships, the insights, the ability to shape policy, it’s been an experience where I gained as much as I gave. EMA represents the very best in our industry, and it’s been a privilege to serve alongside so many outstanding individuals working to move our sector forward.”

The Fall Meeting speaker line-up was well received. The New Attendee Orientation and Federal Legislative Update featured John Wenzel of StoneX Financial Inc.who provided an overview of the oil futures markets. The Motor Fuels Committee featured Chevron’s Tim Burchfield. The Heating Fuels Committee heard from Michael Devine of the National Oilheat Research Alliance (NORA). Kyle May of Reynolds American, Inc., and Amber Moore of Altria Group Distribution Company spoke before the Convenience Store Committee as did David Fredericks of PDI Technologies. The Board of Directors Meeting featured Jack West of Federated Insurance and Jim Duke of Philip Morris International.

All EMA regions, Operational Committees, and the Board of Directors provided input on policy directions across various issues. Ultimately, the Board of Directors voted in favor of supporting a 1-pound waiver for E15 to enable year-round sales via a permanent legislative fix—specifically, the Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act (H.R. 1346, S. 593). The state of Florida objected.

Federated Insurance, Reynolds American, Inc., Altria Group Distribution Company, and Philip Morris International are EMA Board of Directors Council Partners. StoneX and Chevron Renewable Energy Group are EMA Executive Committee Council Partners. PDI Technologies is an EMA Corporate Platinum Partner. Worldpay is an EMA Silver Corporate Partner.

THANK YOU to EMA’s Partner Sponsors for Chicago Conference!

EMA wants to give a huge THANK YOU to our EMA Board of Directors Council and Executive Committee Council Corporate Partner Sponsors: Federated Insurance, Reynolds American, Altria Group Distribution Company, Marathon Petroleum Company LP, Philip Morris International, Valero Energy Corporation, StoneX Financial Inc., Citgo Petroleum Corporation, ExxonMobil, Chevron, HF Sinclair, BP Products North America, Spirit Petroleum and Meridian Associates!

Energy Marketers of America (EMA) and Louisiana Oil Marketers and Convenience Store Association (LOMCSA) want to extend a distinct THANK YOU to Federated Insurance and Chevron for the DSA Luncheon honoring our 2025 Distinguished Service Recipient Grady Gaubert.

We appreciate the loyalty and support of each of our EMA Corporate Partners and their continuous commitment to the energy sector. For more information on our Partner Programs, please contact Rob Underwood.

Legislation Introduced Supporting Trump’s Executive Order Enforcing English Proficiency for CDL Drivers

This week Senators Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) and John Barrasso (R-WY) introduced the Senate version of Connor’s Law, a House bill implementing President Trump’s Executive Order requiring CDL drivers to demonstrate fundamental English skills to receive driving licenses in the United States.

The legislation would:

• Require English language proficiency for all commercial driver’s license holders, and; take drivers who don’t meet the English requirement off the road.
• The law is named after Connor Dzion, who in 2017 at just 18 years old and during his freshman year of college at University of North Florida, died in a car crash involving a truck driver who was distracted and could not understand English or read traffic warning signs.
• A 2016 Obama-era policy weakened previously established CDL standards that included English requirements.

Representatives David Taylor (OH-02) and Harriet Hageman (R-WY) are cosponsors of the House legislation (H.R. 3608).

As previously reported, a renewed federal focus on English language proficiency for commercial drivers is reshaping the regulatory landscape for the U.S. trucking industry. Following the issuance of President Trump’s Executive Order 14237 on April 28, 2025, the Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) have begun actively enforcing rules requiring English proficiency for holders of Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDLs). While the rules themselves are longstanding, enforcement had previously been inconsistent. The renewed attention has implications across multiple sectors, including fuel distribution, where operations depend on a shrinking pool of qualified commercial drivers.

The Executive Order directs FMCSA to rescind previous guidance that had allowed a more lenient approach to English-language requirements. Inspectors are now instructed to conduct all roadside interactions in English. Drivers who cannot follow basic instructions, respond appropriately to communications, or read standard highway signs may face immediate out-of-service (OOS) violations. According to FMCSA data, over 1,200 drivers have already been placed out of service due to insufficient English proficiency, with the majority employed by U.S.-based carriers. The Western and Southern regions have reported the highest number of such violations to date.

These developments are accompanied by enhanced scrutiny of non-domiciled CDL holders, as well as a broader review of licensing regulations and enforcement procedures. EMA marketers should view this as an opportunity to strengthen overall compliance frameworks while staying responsive to further guidance or rulemaking from FMCSA.

Weekend Reads

The Rest of the World Is Following America’s Retreat on EVs | The Wall Street Journal

Federated Insurance: Risk Management Corner
Key Employee Risk Management Strategies for Leaders

Unsafe employee behavior can lead to injuries, legal liabilities, and even fatalities. As a leader, your role often includes providing clear structure and strong guidance to help promote workplace safety. Establishing and enforcing strong workplace policies, alongside regular training, can be beneficial to reducing dangerous practices in your work environment.

Here are five tactics business owners can consider adopting:

1. Establish a Risk Prevention Policy
   A clear, accessible risk prevention policy can set expectations for employees and employers. Update the policy regularly to reflect new safety standards, outline proper equipment use, emergency procedures, and acceptable behavior.
2. Conduct Safety Training
   Regular training can proactively address potential hazards. Host sessions frequently to cover workplace risks, equipment use, and emergency procedures. Interactive training encourages participation and ensures employees understand expectations.
3. Enforce a Zero-Tolerance Policy
   Unsafe practices, like not wearing personal protective equipment (PPE), may need clear consequences. A zero-tolerance approach can foster a culture where employees prioritize risk management.
4. Provide The Right Tools
   Consider providing employees with necessary tools, such as checklists, hazard-reporting apps, and ergonomic equipment. These investments can reduce risks and show your commitment to employee well-being.
5. Promote Open Communication
   Create a culture where employees feel safe reporting hazards or near misses. You can offer anonymous reporting options and act quickly on concerns. Transparent communication can help to identify and resolve issues early.

Employing risk management strategies like these and putting your employee’s wellbeing first can help create a more safety-focused workplace.

For additional information or to discuss this in further detail, please contact your Federated regional representative or EMA’s National Account Executive Jack West at 262.719.7750 for any additional information or risk management questions. Federated is a Partner in EMA’s Board of Directors Council.

At Federated Insurance, It’s Our Business to Protect Yours®

This article is for general information and risk prevention only and should not be considered legal or other expert advice. The recommendations herein may help reduce, but are not guaranteed to eliminate, any or all risk of loss. Examples shown are for illustrative purposes only. The information herein may be subject to, and is not a substitute for, any laws or regulations that may apply. Qualified counsel should be sought with questions specific to your circumstances. ©2025 Federated Mutual Insurance Company.

EMA Member Services Spotlight Featuring: Staples Advantage from NPP

Energy Marketers of America (EMA) members can enroll for free with NPP and save on business supplies and much more. Visit to sign up.

NPP members get special pricing on thousands of Staples items, including office supplies, technology, janitorial, furniture and printing. Enroll your business with NPP to access a diverse catalog of business offers, as well as deals you can share with your employees.

Make sure your office is clean and well stocked.

Through Staples Advantage and NPP, EMA members can order cleaning necessities and office supplies online AND for a limited time you can get free delivery with no minimum order*. You’ll find bath tissue, disinfecting wipes, hand sanitizer, dryers, cleaning chemicals, dish soap, detergent, facial tissues, paper towels, trash bags, laundry care, cleaning equipment and more! Make Staples Advantage your one-stop-shop for office and facility needs.

*Limited time offer

Save on Mailroom Supplies: Mailers, Shipping Boxes, Cushioning, Shipping Tape, Stretch Wrap, Labels and more!

Through Staples and NPP, members can save on the products needed to ensure their mailroom is well stocked and operating at lightning speed. The faster shipments go out, the sooner they’re in a customer’s hands and it all starts with the right supplies. Staples has all the mailing supplies you need to pack up shipments and send them out efficiently and on time. In addition to great discounts, members get free next-day business delivery on most standard orders over $30.

Membership is free and there is no obligation to purchase.

Restrictions may apply. Subject to availability.