ABOUT US
Superior Design. Super Quality. Superior Service. Why would you settle for anything less?
Superior Energy Systems has engineered, manufactured and installed propane infrastructure since 1975. We offer the engineering expertise, services and support to meet the needs of any application.
We build made-to-order propane vaporizers and mixers, portable and permanent rail towers, metering and odorant skids, propane autogas dispensers and complete dispensing stations. We are in the unique position to handle your entire project from start to finish — from planning and installing to service and maintenance . High-quality materials, customization, superior craftsmanship and responsive project management go into every job.
Our emphasis on safety, including codes and standards expertise and complete training programs, sets us apart from the competition. Our team holds leadership positions in the National Standards Institute, National Fire Protection Association, National Propane Gas Association, Propane Education & Research Council and many more industry organizations. We also are a member of the Energy Department’s Clean Cities program.
Learn more by downloading our company brochure.
Events and Trade Shows
Each year we attend, exhibit and speaks at dozens of shows, conferences and workshops across the United States about propane safety, regulation and infrastructure. Keep up-to-date on where we will be in the near future.
July 10-11: STN Expo, Reno, NV
August 4-6: Texas Propane Gas Association convention, Galveston, TX
September 11-13: Bus Con, Indianapolis, IN
October 19-20: GIE Expo, Louisville, KY
Fuels Fix: Propane school buses enjoy huge adoption increase in past five yearsPropane school buses have enjoyed tremendous national adoption in just the last five years alone, and that should only increase with the passage into law of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the new $1.2 trillion law to improve America’s infrastructure. There were about 8,000 propane school buses operating in the United States in 2016. Since then that number has more than tripled to 22,000, which transports 1.3 million kids to school daily. There’s been a 960% growth in the number of propane autogas school buses on the road in the U.S since 2012. – advertisement – Today, electric and propane school buses are the two primary ways school districts, private schools and school bus contractors can achieve the goal of ensuring children have a safe, clean and healthy ride to school. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act includes over $9 billion in funding for fueling infrastructure and clean vehicles including propane, which is identified in the legislation as an emerging alternative fuel. Section 71101: This provision is called the Clean School Bus Program, providing $2.5 billion for the purchase of low- and zero-emission school buses, including propane and electric. Section 11401: This provision instructs the Secretary of Transportation to create a grant program for the installation of fueling and charging infrastructure for alternatively fueled vehicles along the nation’s highway system.
Propane school buses have enjoyed tremendous national adoption in just the last five years alone, and that should only increase with the passage into law of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the new $1.2 trillion law to improve America’s infrastructure....
PERC: 11 New Courses Added to The Learning Center in 2021
The Learning Center was launched in 2019 to give propane providers and their employees an easier way to access a variety of training programs and resources. Since it launched, we’ve continued to add and update training programs in The Learning Center and 2021 was no...
PERC: TransNet: A Sustainable Ride for Community Members
TransNet, a public transit fleet in Pennsylvania, strives to put sustainability first. After looking at the company’s annual mileage, fuel usage, and routes, propane autogas was the only alternative energy source that could meet their needs for emissions reductions,...
Propane Canada: SES Achieves Success in Commercial Back Up Fuel Market
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PERC: Start Planning Fall and Winter Maintenance
As fall and winter approach, now is a good time to make sure that your bulk storage and customer's propane systems are ready. Among the preventative maintenance items that you may want to focus on: Annual bulk plant maintenance Annual vaporizer servicing Customer...
PERC: Updated Fire Safety Analysis Manual Available
A new version of the Fire Safety Analysis (FSA) Manual is available for download from the catalog on propane.com Updated to include the latest changes from the 2020 edition of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 58 code, the manual helps propane marketers...
PERC: Broward County Case Study
When deciding on the right energy solution for Florida’s Broward County Transit, Paul Strobis, the director of paratransit, had several factors to take into account. First, the vehicle range. With a 471-square-mile county, Broward County Transit provides more than...
PERC: Propane Autogas’ Role in Clean Student Transportation
Every child deserves to have a safe, clean, healthy ride to school. That’s been the center of the discussion on how to reduce harmful emissions in school transportation, and districts around the country have implemented different paths to accelerate decarbonization....
WYFF News4: Blacksburg trucking company opens clean propane refueling station
BLACKSBURG, S.C. — The fleet runs multiple mail routes for the United States Postal Service between Greenville, South Carolina, and Charlotte, North Carolina. Since McAbee’s adoption of propane autogas nearly two years ago, several other USPS-contracted fleets around...
BPN: 4 Business Owners on Autogas Lessons and Successes
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Key Team Members Profiles
Donald Fernald
President and CEO
Donald (Don) Fernald has more than 45 years of experience in the design, engineering, manufacturing, construction, sale and service of gas equipment. He has been involved with Superior Energy Systems since 2002 and introduced innovative approaches in the design of equipment in this highly specialized field. Don graduated from UCLA with an associates degree in accounting and gained a bachelor of science from Cleveland State University.
Don has served on multiple research, safety and risk management committees with the Environmental Protection Agency, National Propane Gas Association, Propane Education & Research Council and Ohio Propane Gas Association. Since its inception in 1999, Don has served on PERC’s Advisory Committee in the Research and Development working group.
A regular speaker at Institute of Gas Technology seminars throughout the U.S., Don has also presented technical papers to the World LP-Gas Forum.
Don enjoys spending time with family, golfing and boating.
Derek Rimko
Vice President of Operations
Derek Rimko manages the company’s operations,sales efforts and customer relations as well as overseeing all in-house personnel. He has served the propane industry for 24 years and has been with SES since inception. Derek graduated from The Ohio State University with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and advertising.He stays active in numerous state propane gas associations andalso serves on the Propane Education & Research Council’s Advisory Committee in their Market Outreach Working Group. Derek enjoys being with his family and traveling.
Mike Walters
Vice President Safety & Training
A member of the Propane Industry for over 40 years, with over 25 years as a Safety Professional, Mike’s educational background includes New York Academy of Fire Science, Syracuse University and Columbia Southern University. He is certified in Environmental Compliance and Accident Investigation as well as several certification areas of the industry’s Certified Employee Training Program.
Mike is a charter member and served for over 20 years on the Propane Education and Research Council’s Safety and Training Advisory Committee; serving as Chairman for four years (2004-2007). A recipient of the NPGA Safety Award, Mike served for many years on the National Propane Gas Association’s Certified Employee Training Program (CETP) Certification Committee and is a member of an Industry Trade Magazine Editorial Review Board. Mike is considered a subject matter expert in the development of safety and training programs within the propane industry.
Mike serves on the Board of the Ohio Propane Gas Association, the NFPA 59 Technical Committee on LP-Gas Utility Gas Plants, NFPA 30A Code for Motor Fuel Dispensing Facilities and Repair Garages, NFPA 1402 Technical Committee on Facilities for Fire Training and Associated Props and the Underwriters Laboratories UL 87 and 495 Standards Technical Panel. Mike is also a member of the International Codes Council and the American Society of Safety Professionals.
In his spare time, Mike spends time cruising his ’57 Chevy as a member of the Vintage Chevrolet Club of America Cuyahoga Valley Region.
Greg Whitesel
Director of Engineering
Greg Whitesel oversees all civil, mechanical and electrical engineering documents as well as leads the design for all propane bulk terminals and autogas installations. . He has been with SES for almost 20 years. He holds an associate’s degree in mechanical design from Lorain Community College. In his spare time, Greg enjoys being with his family and outdoor recreation.