Early Years
Woodrow “Woody” Blossman founded Blossman Gas in 1951. He moved to the Mississippi Gulf Coast after his brother, who operated a large propane company in Covington, LA, sold his Gulfport and Pascagoula, MS stores to him.
Woodrow “Woody” Blossman founded Blossman Gas in 1951. He moved to the Mississippi Gulf Coast after his brother, who operated a large propane company in Covington, LA, sold his Gulfport and Pascagoula, MS stores to him.
Two new branch locations. One located in Pascagoula, Mississippi and the other branch opened in D’Iberville (Biloxi), MS.
The company expanded its services to the entire Mississippi Gulf Coast, with offices and storage facilities in four coast cities, Gulfport, Pascagoula, Biloxi, and Bay St. Louis.
One new branch location added. Another expansion from Pascagoula into Theodore, AL.
Purchased Byrd Butane Co. out of Sanford, North Carolina.
John Blossman Takes Over
Blossman purchased Bowden Butane in Georgia.
Two new branch locations. One located in Pascagoula, Mississippi and the other branch opened in D’Iberville (Biloxi), MS.
Bob Mayer was hired as Treasurer of Blossman Gas and would go on to work for the company for 35 years after retiring as president.
Bob Mayer was hired as Treasurer of Blossman Gas and would go on to work for the company for 35 years after retiring as president.
John Blossman, son of Woodrow, joined the company to serve as president. Woodrow stayed on as chairman of the board.
John Blossman, son of Woodrow, joined the company to serve as president. Woodrow stayed on as chairman of the board.
Growth Throughout Alabama
John Blossman stepped aside for two years to serve in the U.S. Army. He returned to the company towards the end of 1971.
John Blossman stepped aside for two years to serve in the U.S. Army. He returned to the company towards the end of 1971.
Blossman offered its first retirement plan to its employees.
In the mid-1970s, Blossman acquired Pargas stores in Gulfport and Pascagoula, MS, as well as Cal Gas location in Jackson, AL.
Management focused on market growth throughout Alabama. Blossman acquired locations in Atmore, Frisco City, Fairhope, and Grove Hill.
Blossman purchased their largest competitor on the Mississippi coast, Supertane Gas. Branches were open in Vancleave and Wiggins, MS.
Blossman Embraces Computerized Technology
Blossman had been one of the first propane marketers to embrace the National Propane Gas Association’s GAS Check Program, which brought a new level of customer safety to the propane industry.
The federal government lifted energy controls and Blossman Gas took a leadership role in the propane industry in the Southeast.
Blossman acquired American Butane in Laurel, MS, and Heart of Dixie in Wedowee, AL.
Blossman entered the Florida market with the acquisition of Alpha Gas Company, in Pensacola.
Blossman was the first multi-state propane marketer to have all of its locations tied together with a real-time computerized management information system.
Expansion in North Carolina & Tennessee
The 1990s began on a sad note, Blossman Gas founder and Chairman E.W. Blossman passed away on February 26, 1990. John Blossman assumed the duties of Chairman and appointed Bob Mayer as president.
Stuart Weidie, current CEO of Blossman, began his career with the company joining the management trainee program under Jessie Johnson, Vice President of Sales and Marketing.
Stuart Weidie, current CEO of Blossman, began his career with the company joining the management trainee program under Jessie Johnson, Vice President of Sales and Marketing.
It was a busy year of startups and acquisitions for Blossman. Locations in Anderson and Walhalla, SC, were opened as well as branches in Sylva and Burnsville, NC. Blossman also opened its first store in Tennessee (Cleveland, TN).
It was a busy year of startups and acquisitions for Blossman. Locations in Anderson and Walhalla, SC, were opened as well as branches in Sylva and Burnsville, NC. Blossman also opened its first store in Tennessee (Cleveland, TN).
Blossman continued to expand by opening stores in Waynesville and Gastonia, NC, as well as it’s second store in Tennessee (Elizabethton, TN).
Tammy Thompson joined the Blossman Gas Home Office as a Programmer. She led the company to major advancements in computer software and currently serves as IT Director.
Leadership pinpointed the company’s growth potential in the northern halves of Alabama and Georgia, the western halves of North Carolina, and the eastern section of Tennessee.
Taking Care of Customers
After Bob Mayer retired, Start Weidie was named President and CEO of Blossman Gas.
After Bob Mayer retired, Start Weidie was named President and CEO of Blossman Gas.
In August, Hurricane Katrina hit the Mississippi Gulf Coast. It was the worst natural catastrophe in the history of The United States, severely impacting the Blossman Home Office and fifteen branches. The massive volunteer effort by employees enabled Blossman to barely miss a beat, and re-open in record time to serve its customers and provide propane and equipment services to the thousands of government and non-profit relief agencies.
In August, Hurricane Katrina hit the Mississippi Gulf Coast. It was the worst natural catastrophe in the history of The United States, severely impacting the Blossman Home Office and fifteen branches. The massive volunteer effort by employees enabled Blossman to barely miss a beat, and re-open in record time to serve its customers and provide propane and equipment services to the thousands of government and non-profit relief agencies.
Blossman acquired the propane operations of Home Pride Services, Inc., in Weyers Cave, VA.
In March, John Blossman passed away. He had a long, courageous battle with cancer, leaving the entire company in mourning for “one of the kindest men to ever live”.
Al Allen retired as Vice President in 2012 after serving for over 40 years on the Blossman Management Team.
Blossman Forms Alliance AutoGas
Led by Stuart Weidie, Blossman formed Alliance AutoGas, America’s only complete program to transition fleets to autogas. Autogas is the common name for propane when used as a vehicle fuel.
Led by Stuart Weidie, Blossman formed Alliance AutoGas, America’s only complete program to transition fleets to autogas. Autogas is the common name for propane when used as a vehicle fuel.
Blossman expanded into the Miami, FL market with its acquisition of Green Tech Energy Solutions.
Blossman Services, Inc., the distribution partner of Alliance AutoGas, became the exclusive United States distributor of Westport’s Prins Autogas products.
Alliance AutoGas and Blossman Services, Inc. opened their Alliance AutoGas Research & Development Center in Asheville, NC.
Alliance AutoGas and Blossman Services, Inc. opened their Alliance AutoGas Research & Development Center in Asheville, NC.
Blossman had 5 acquisitions including Ankney Propane Plus in Ocala, FL, Palmetto Gas in Hilton Head, SC, Lassetter Propane in Newnan, Ga, Blue Flame Gas in Douglasville, GA, Dade Gas in Lafayette, GA, and Dixie Gas in West Chesterfield, VA.
COO David Reynolds signing the agreement to bring the first Renewable Propane gallons in history to Blossman Gas customers.
COO David Reynolds signing the agreement to bring the first Renewable Propane gallons in history to Blossman Gas customers.
Moving Into the Future
Alliance AutoGas saw tremendous growth in recent years. To comply with clean air and emissions standards, all alternative fuel system manufacturers are required to obtain EPA Certificates of Conformity.
Alliance AutoGas announced it had been awarded 253 EPA Certificates of Conformity and 58 Intermediate Age Vehicle Notifications, certifying over 1,300 vehicles.
As the country is persevering through COVID-19, Blossman Gas is taking extra measures to keep our communities safe, including the use of proper personal protective equipment (PPE) when out in the field. Blossman continues to encourage customers to pay online or through the app.
Blossman sold the first Warm Front Window Heater, a groundbreaking new zone heating product that provides portable heat to spaces up 1,000 sq. ft.