Naugatuck Man Named Acting President of Heating Oil Lobby

A week after leading the home heating oil lobby to victory at the state Capitol, Naugatuck’s Chris Herb has been appointed acting president of the Connecticut Energy Marketers Association.

Connecticut lawmakers dropped a proposed tax on home heating oil and propane after CEMA brought hundreds to Hartford and spoke out against it at a public hearing last week.

"We knew we were taking on a big fight but we vowed to fight to the end,” Herb stated in a news release. “This was a new tax, plain and simple, and one that would have hurt our customers. We launched an aggressive campaign to get the word out to the people. After immense pressure and a huge public outcry, the proposed bill was killed in committee within days of the public hearing. We won. Now, it’s time to look to the future and take on other issues vital to our industry moving forward, including fighting the state’s plan to switch 40 percent of our customers to natural gas.”

The news release continues as follows:

Herb was appointed acting president after a CEMA baord meeting this week (CEMA is formerly known as the Independent Connecticut Petroleum Association.) Herb has been with the organization for more than 12 years. As vice president, his specialties are state government relations, policy analysis and industry organization. Previously, Herb was elected and served two terms as a Burgess for the Borough of Naugatuck, worked as a legislative aide for the Connecticut General Assembly and as Director of Public Support for the American Red Cross. Herb lives with his wife Lisa, who is a New Haven school teacher, and their two boys in Naugatuck. (see full bio attached)

“I’m humbled and privileged to represent the local family businesses that comprise CEMA,” Herb said. “I will do my very best, every day, to work as hard as they do to keep their customers happy. I look forward to forging strong relationships with other state, regional and national associations in which we share common goals. CEMA will continue to protect and promote petroleum marketers as we engage legislators and regulators in Connecticut.”

Herb takes over the reigns from former President Gene Guilford, who held that position 10 years. Under the board’s restructuring at CEMA, Guilford is now CEMA’s National and Regional Policy Counsel.

“It was 10 years ago that I came to Connecticut to work with the great people here at CEMA,” Guilford said. “I want to thank everyone in this organization who, as a team, made CEMA larger, stronger and more capable than ever. That is a testament to our work together."

CEMA board Chairwoman Sharon Peterson said:

“We are extremely grateful to Gene for his work as president on behalf of our members and association. His expertise will continue to be valuable to our industry through our consulting collaboration as he focuses on the national and regional industry issues.

“We are excited to continue that work under Chris Herb’s leadership. David Chu, our member services Director, and Kate Lennon, our ITEC School recruiter will continue to provide our valuable member services. CEMA will continue to protect and promote petroleum marketers as we engage legislators and regulators in Connecticut.”