Following World War II, the U.S. was a country flush with victory. Families grew at an unprecedented rate all across the country. Almost as quickly, new companies sprang up to meet their needs.

Jack Dyson and Cap Schaeffer started one such business - Dyson Oil, in 1948.

Three years later, they were joined by another young man eager to make his mark on the world - Tony Besche. Together they moved the fledgling company to Waldorf, Maryland.

In the beginning, we had one delivery truck and operated one Sunoco station. Everyone worked hard. Mike Besche, Tony's son, remembers that "whenever it snowed, Dad would come home very late. He'd be in his work clothes and he'd smell like fuel oil."

Opportunity was knocking for those who were willing to work hard and take some risks. The young families who were growing throughout the area appreciated oil heat's efficiency, cleanliness and safety. Oil soon became homeowners' fuel of choice. Two of our most valued employees, Bob Bolinger and John Curley, came on board during that period. Together with our other employees, they did things the old-fashioned way. They really cared about their customers and the community. They worked hard and did the job right the first time. Those standards still guide us today.

By 1963 we had grown to 30 gasoline stations and several thousand fuel oil accounts. That same year, Jack Dyson retired, and we became Besche Oil Company. We opened our Lexington Park office in 1965.

At the age of 13, Mike Besche was already helping his dad on a delivery truck. It was fortunate that he started early. Fate would play him a cruel hand.

In 1973, Tony Besche passed away. On top of the family pain, the company lost its general manager at a troubled time for the oil industry. The torch was passed into Mike's hands. He met the challenge of his life.

While the fashion of the time was to "do your own thing," Mike had no hesitation about following in his dad's footsteps. He had prepared himself well for a career in the family business.

In 1970, after graduating from Wharton School of Finance and Commerce, Mike joined us full-time. He spent his first full year after graduation as a sales representative. He computerized much of our operation soon afterwards. Two years later, he was running the company. Like his father, Mike steered us toward further growth and, at the same time, kept our quality high. Despite the oil embargo in 1973, and a period of consolidation in the oil industry, he acquired Cox Oil and Clinton Oil in Prince Georges County and Waring Oil in St. Mary's. We reached into more communities with the goal of being a total home comfort company. This way, customers would have the opportunity to have just one company to trust for many needs. Mike brought together very talented people to form the Besche Oil team. They've prepared the company for the future. While that future includes high-tech equipment, a growing number of services, and our new Quality Assurance Program, we hope to remain firmly grounded in the tradition of personal service we owe to Tony Besche.