b'Association Information Welcome President Jeremy BautistaWe recently questioned our WPMA 2023-24 President, Jeremy Bautista, of River CityPetroleum in Las Vegas, NV, to find out a little more about him. Here are his answers to our questions:*Association Member Since:2000 cardlock maintenance team. I came on Family in the business include Len, my in a full-time capacity at the end of 2011uncle and CEO of the company, Jeanne, How long have you been in business?and now serve as the Vice President ofmy aunt, our President, my brother Ruy How did the business get started?By whomRiver City Petroleum.is our Las Vegas Operations Manager and and why?In the 1940s, Dave Robinson was Lens granddaughter Macie Hertoghe is working for the Fredricksen ConstructionWhats your favorite thing about the petroleum our Controller. company, when the company made thebusiness? The people and the relationshipsthat I have built in the relatively shortYour Favorite Movie:Wolf of Wall Streetdecision to move their operation out of Sacramento. Dave did not want to movetime I have been involved in the industry. his young family, so he convinced theEveryone works towards a common goal. Your Favorite Hobby:GolfFredricksens to purchase a fuel truck Who is your Hero or Mentor?I have been When was the last time you participated in that he could operate to fuel their con- very fortunate to have many mentorsthe Hobby?Probably last weekend, I try andstruction business. After only a fewget out weekly with a group of friends. months, the family came back to Dave tothroughout my life and career, but two ask him how things were going. He toldwith the most influence would be Len Your Favorite Music/Group:I listen to just(my uncle) and Jeanne (my aunt). Theyabout everything, it depends on what them he needed more trucks! In 1966, have been instrumental in mentoring me the Fredricksens were ready to exit the in the business and I would be remiss not I am doing. construction business and they approachedto express my appreciation for that Your Favorite Moment:I married my wifeDave about purchasing the truck opera- mentorship as well as the opportunitiesLauren in Positano, Italy; that is easily my tion. Dave approached his eldest son,Len Robinson, to be his partner andthey have provided.favorite moment. purchase the business. At the time, LenWhat aspects of our association would youThe Perfect Night Out:Lauren and I have ourwas an engineer for McDonald Douglas,like to work on during your term in office?favorite sushi restaurant that we go toand had no experience in the business. LenId like to continue to provide educationevery Friday that we are in town.learned the business from his father, butand resources to the membership, so we a few years into their partnership, Daveas an industry are prepared to adapt inYour Travel Wish:We have our eye on apassed and Len was left to run the com- the future.Our own business operates inJapanese River cruise. pany on his own. He dedicated himself toCalifornia, a state that was early to adoptGive us your view on the future ofthe business and grew his fleet of just acarbon programs, so weve experiencedPetroleum/Energy/Fuels:The Moral Casefew trucks to up to 50 at its peak.some of these changes. As I traveled tofor Fossil Fuels, and Fossil Future, are some of the states, I heard the stories of In 1981, Len realized the best way to keepbooks written by Alex Epstein that outline his trucks running and secure the busi- Washington and Oregons programs. Ithe value and benefits fossil fuels have on ness was to sell the fuel himself. Riverbelieve our member states can learn fromsociety. His premise is based on human City Petroleum, Inc was formed, allowingthose states - what aspects of the programsflourishing, the idea that society benefits both companies to grow into Nevada. Lenwork and what hasnt worked. I want tofrom inexpensive energy. I agree with that began developing cardlocks and was anmake sure the association continues tophilosophyfossil fuels will remain the early member of the Commercial Fuelingguide the states as they navigate the most cost effective and abundant form of Network in the 1980s. In 1999, the com- evolution of programs like that, while energy. We all want to have the cleanest pany purchased D&G Oil, a Las Vegaspromoting the distribution of liquid fuelsenvironment possible, but it must be sus-jobber, cementing their presence in thethat are affordable to the customers. Itainable. Liquid renewable fuels will be valley. In 2011, Fredricksen Tank Linesthink we can all agree no one wants to bepart of the solution but must stand on their was sold. sitting in the dark when there isnt enoughown. With change there always comes op-I grew up around the business, spend- electricity to go around.portunity, and I think that is what makes ing summers and breaks between schoolTell us a little about your family:I married our industry so much funit is always working in different aspects of the busi- my wife Lauren in May 2022. She ischanging and there is always opportunity.ness - with the accounting team, datathe Operations Manager for the regionalThank you !entry, customer service, even our branch of Cintas in Sacramento. SWPMA News / Fall 202317'