NEW MILFORD, Conn. – May 16, 2023 – Cetane Associates is pleased to announce that Trey Brasseaux has joined its financial advisory firm as an Associate, effective May 15, 2023. Trey brings more than six years of client advisory experience in financial roles with professional services businesses. His background includes working with an independent investment bank and a leading advisory firm focused on the energy industry.

Prior to joining Cetane Associates, Trey Brasseaux most recently worked as an Associate at J Wolf and Company, an independent investment bank centered on raising capital for acquisitions in the lower middle market. His role supported the engagements through financial modeling and analysis, as well as collaborating with clients. For the five years before his tenure at J Wolf, Trey worked in Houston at Opportune LLP, a consulting firm specializing in the energy industry. Trey worked across the finance/accounting service lines as part of the corporate finance team and was steadily promoted from Consultant to Senior Consultant and then to Manager. His experience includes engagements in Opportune’s investment banking, valuation, restructuring, due diligence, and complex financial reporting practices. His clients included both private and public energy companies in upstream, midstream, downstream, and minerals.

Trey holds Bachelors degrees in Business Honors and Finance and a Master of Financial Management degree from Texas A&M University. Additionally, he holds FINRA Series 79 and 63 licenses (registered with Financial Industry Regulatory Authority). A native Houstonian, Trey and his wife live in Houston where he supports the Aggies and other local sports teams and enjoys golf, exercise, and landscaping.

Barrett Conway, Managing Director and Principal of Cetane commented “Bringing Trey onboard is great for our team, our clients, and our process. His extensive education, training, and experience are perfect fits for the financial advisory, acquisitions, and M&A services we provide our clients across the country. In addition to his strong financial skills, he lends his friendly, winning communication style to our team.”

NEW MILFORD, Conn. – April 28, 2023 – Cetane Associates (“Cetane”) is pleased to announce that Reit Fuel Oil Co. (“Reit Energy”) a Pennsylvania corporation located in Warminster, Pa. has acquired assets related to the delivered fuels, HVAC, and plumbing business of Walter A. Dwyer, Inc. (“Dwyer”), of Ambler, Pa. The transaction closed on April 25, 2023. 

With beginnings dating back to 1875, merely ten years after the U.S. Civil War, Dwyer has a lengthy history that includes selling building materials, coal, oil, heating services, boilers, and plumbing. Its founder, Edward Dwyer, was born in 1826. Over the years, members of the Dwyer family have continued to expand the company through diversification and acquisition, creating a well-recognized brand beyond its origins in the Chestnut Hill neighborhood of Philadelphia. Today the sole survivor in a long line of Dwyer family owners is John L. Dwyer, Jr., president and principal. John commented, “Our Dwyer team has provided outstanding service to our residential and light commercial customers in Northwest Philadelphia and Montgomery County for decades. We’re pleased to make this significant transition and know that Reit Energy will carry on a tradition of excellence.” John added, “We’re especially grateful to the team at Cetane for their guidance and expertise to take us smoothly across the finish line.” 

As one of the largest full-service home comfort companies in the Delaware Valley, Reit Energy sets itself apart by providing its customers the best value along with courteous and professional service. With an experienced team of technicians and the latest equipment, Reit Energy has served its community since 1945. Reit Energy’s president, Kurt Haab said, “We’re excited to welcome the Dwyer team and their customers to Reit Energy. The fit between our companies is great as we both genuinely care about our customers and keep our promise to serve them personally and professionally.” 

Doug Woosnam, Director at Cetane Associates, stated, “It was a pleasure to work with John through this successful transaction with the Reit Energy group. I congratulate both parties on achieving this outstanding result.”  

Cetane served as the sole arranger to Dwyer. Cetane advised on the sale, including an initial valuation opinion, marketing the business through a confidential process, assisting in negotiating the final deal terms, and coordinating the due diligence process. Team members Doug Woosnam, Fred Lord, and Dalton Brooks managed the transaction. 

NEW MILFORD, Conn. – April 18, 2023 – Cetane Associates is pleased to announce that Ford DuBose and Dalton Brooks have joined its financial advisory firm as Associates, effective April 1 and April 11, respectively. DuBose brings a specialization in appraisals to his role while Brooks contributes a legal background to his position. They both provide analytical support to Cetane’s M&A deal execution team.

Prior to joining Cetane, Ford DuBose was a certified general real estate appraiser with more than six years of experience in the valuation industry. Most recently, he was a senior valuation specialist at Colliers International (Dallas office), where he specialized in appraising multitenant retail centers. He has also appraised a variety of asset types, including office and industrial buildings, land, special purpose properties, subdivision, and recreational facilities. During his tenure at Colliers, Ford was involved with the north Texas chapter of the Appraisal Institute.

Ford holds a bachelor’s degree in finance and a master’s degree in real estate from Texas A&M University. A native Texan who enjoys landscaping, hunting, and fishing, Ford is married and lives in a Dallas suburb.

Before Dalton Brooks joined the Cetane team, he was a project manager at Southwest General Contractors in Amarillo, Texas, doing large scale commercial construction. He holds a bachelor of science degree from Texas A&M University (2014) and a law degree from Texas Tech University (2017).

Also a native Texan, Dalton was born, raised, and still lives in Amarillo. Married and father of a son, Dalton is a runner, golfer, hockey player, fly fisher, and occasionally remodels houses.

Barrett Conway, Managing Director and Principal of Cetane commented “It’s exciting to welcome Ford and Dalton to the Cetane team. Each of them brings valuable experience to assist our clients through their transactions. Their addition to our team strengthens our client support as we expand our reach in home services industries across the country. They will enhance Cetane’s value to our clients.”

NEW MILFORD, Conn. – April 4, 2023 – Cetane Associates is pleased to announce that Bob Williamson has joined its financial advisory firm as Director, effective April 1, 2023. Bob Williamson has spent the last thirty-plus years managing home services that include retail propane/delivered fuels, HVAC, plumbing, home security, swimming pool, lawn and tree care, and pest control industries. Much of his career has involved engagement in acquisitions, business consulting, and transition planning. Bob is a regular speaker at industry conferences and has served in leadership roles for industry associations.

Bob has worked with Moyer, a large Mid-Atlantic, residential service provider, for more than three decades. His role as General Manager of the company covered more than 25,000 customers and 250 employees. His breadth of experience and expertise developed as he traveled to visit many diverse service companies across the country looking for and sharing ideas that could help his company grow and prosper. Through this period, he handled over 40 pest control acquisitions. His skills bring value to Cetane clients who are seeking an experienced, professional advisor.

Currently, Bob serves on the Pennsylvania Pesticide Advisory Board, is Past President of the Lawn Care Association of Pennsylvania, and also is Past President of the Warrington PA Rotary Club. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Agronomy from Penn State University and an MBA from LaSalle University.

Barrett Conway, Managing Director and Principal of Cetane commented “We are thrilled and fortunate to have Bob join our team. His interest in business excellence combined with his hands-on experience will add to Cetane’s strength as we expand our reach in home services industries. Strategically, Bob’s wealth of experience in the pest control M&A arena creates the ideal entry for Cetane into the pest management space. His credentials as a leader in pest control combined with his ability to connect with business owners—helping them achieve their goals—will enhance our value to our clients.”

NEW MILFORD, Conn. – March 7, 2023 – Cetane Associates (Cetane) is pleased to announce that Sail Energy, LLC (Sail Energy), of Portsmouth, N. H., has acquired the assets related to the full-service propane and heating oil delivery and HVAC business of Klebe Fuel Company, Inc. (Klebe Fuel) whose primary office is in Winsted, Conn. The transaction closed on March 1, 2023.

Matthew “Matt” T. Klebe founded Klebe Fuel in 1989. Starting as a heating oil business, the company grew in 1997 with the addition of a service department, in 2011 when propane delivery was introduced, and in 2018 with the acquisition of Goshen Oil Company which expanded Klebe Fuel’s family of customers. Klebe Fuel is a family-owned and -operated business serving residential and light commercial customers in northwest Connecticut communities. It proudly supports local community causes and employs an experienced staff that includes a team of energy conservation technicians. President and Owner Matt Klebe commented, “Sail Energy brings a new level of business practices and strageies which will benefit our customers and employees. This is a great fit and I couldn’t be happier.” And, he added, “I have consulted with Cetane over the years while growing my business. It was a natural evolution in our relationship to have Cetane represent me in one of the most significant decisions of my career. We are very pleased with the sale process and the Cetane team was the right company for us. Their knowledge and experience made a positive difference.”

Sail Energy has operated in the energy distribution market since 2014, growing its market through targeted acquisitions and integrated roll-ups. Sail Energy now serves over 35,000 customers in five New England states, New York, and Pennsylvania. Dennis O’Brien, President and Chief Executive Officer of Sail Energy, stated, “We are happy and excited to bring Klebe Fuel into the Sail Energy group. Their well-known local reputation is a great fit with our guiding principles. We look forward to welcoming the Klebe Fuel team. Thanks go to John Tolan as Sail Energy’s project leader in the acquisition, and to Cetane Associates for their expert assistance through this process.”

Tamera Kovacs, Director at Cetane Associates, stated, “It was a pleasure working with Matt throughout this transaction. Matt and his entire, loyal staff have built an excellent business. I congratulate them on this outstanding transition.”

Cetane served as the sole arranger and financial advisor to Klebe Fuel. Cetane advised on the sale, including an initial valuation opinion, marketing the business through a confidential process, assisting in negotiating the final deal terms, and coordinating the due diligence process. Team members Tamera Kovacs, Fred Lord, Barrett Conway, and Tyler Machado managed the transaction.