Ever since Mark Hardy can remember, he's been riding in a truck. Whether it's a tractor trailer, 18-wheeler, tanker, or bobtail, Mark can maneuver almost anything on the road. He gives credit to his father for teaching him to be comfortable in trucks, as his dad started driving a truck in 1960 and did so for the next 42 years. Mark grew up around trucks and started driving them himself in his mid-20s. Mark has worked a variety of driving jobs in Northern Virginia. He has driven everything from cars to trailers, supply trucks, oil trucks, propane (bobtail) trucks, and dump trucks. Mark came on to the Valley … [Read more...]

Today's story is about one of the most generous people you may ever have the pleasure of meeting. Wilson Harris (a.k.a. Red) constantly goes above and beyond for his job, his family, his friends, and his customers. This attitude has made him an invaluable employee and a longstanding member of the Valley Energy family. While his official start date was in 2003, he previously worked with one of our owners for almost 15 years in the landscaping and gardening industry. When the opportunity came for him to join Valley Energy as a service technician, nothing could stand in the way. In both of these careers Red met new … [Read more...]

Scottie Miller is one of the most dedicated individuals you'll ever meet. He's independent and self-motivated, which might be why he's stuck around since 1996! Scottie is the longest serving employee at Valley Energy, with over 22 years. Scottie is a huge sports fan. He loves football and racing. His favorite team is the Seattle Seahawks. He also enjoys being in the great outdoors. Whether it's four-wheeling, camping, or floating down the river in West Virginia, Scottie finds a way to spend time outside whenever he can. He was born and raised on a farm in Berryville, Virginia, and has stayed close to this area … [Read more...]

Willis Drake Jr. is a family man above all else. His whole life is centered around putting family first and for Willis family is far more than a last name. Willis and his wife Marilyn (pictured on left) have many things in common: they value hard work, they care for others, and they take every opportunity for quality time together. Marilyn recently retired from the US Postal Service after 38 years, but keeps herself busy training for Women's Nationals in bowling each year. Willis and Marilyn have a weekly date night at their local bowling alley, have traversed the country from Las Vegas to Baltimore for … [Read more...]

Looking for a fast-paced, fun-loving, and self-starting type of guy? Look no further than Dan Reil. Dan has worked as a service technician in the Propane industry for over a decade, and brings a variety of experience and a whole lot of heart to his work every day. He loves working with his hands, and can find a solution for just about any problem in front of him. Dan spent nine years in the United States Army as a mechanic and field artillery officer. During that time he worked with tanks, weapons, and military vehicles to ensure they were running properly and safely. Ever since he was young, Dan has enjoyed … [Read more...]

A woman of many hats, the newest addition to the Valley Energy team surprises us at every turn! Rachael Watkins began her career in the airline industry, working for both American Airlines and US Airways, and spent her early twenties traveling all over the US. According to Rachael, her "heart belongs down in the Bayou." She loves creole food and the laid back southern culture of Louisiana. Not only does she enjoy traveling by plane, she wanders on foot as well. In summer 2015, Rachael hiked over 300 MILES along the Appalachian Trail! She is originally from small town of Stephens City, VA, but she loves exploring … [Read more...]

Our annual No Zone program kicked off to a great start yesterday at Broad Run High School in Ashburn, VA. Over the next month, one of our drivers will be taking this truck to 9 high schools in the Loudoun County area. Students from these schools will get the experience of sitting in the driver seat of the truck and examining the blind spots (or, "No Zones") around every semi truck. See the Jeep parked on the left side of the picture? That's a blind spot for truck drivers!   According to Mark Hardy, who heads up the No Zone training, this whole exercise is about getting students to think about … [Read more...]