Wiley Thompson
Wiley Thompson, an employee of Como Oil & Propane, was selected to assist in Hurricane Sandy relief efforts in Long Island, New York.
Thompson flew to the East Coast on Saturday, November 10 to be stationed at Fort Dix, New Jersey. He is part of a contingent of four Como Oil staffers working in the area. Como Oil & Propane Chief Operating Officer Will Norman said the crew on the East Coast, which also includes Terry Fisher, Tim Peterson and Corey Lonetto of Duluth and Jason DeRosia of Superior, didn’t know what they would be doing when they reached the East Coast. In fact, Norman said, they aren’t sure what they will be doing dayto day while deployed for hurricane relief.
Norman said they are driving semi-transport trucks or tank wagons, filling Army trucks, keeping a hospital fueled and delivering fuel wherever it is needed. “We are really glad that Wiley stepped up. We asked for volunteers and he came forward,” said Norman.
Como Oil & Propane is involved in the relief effort through Norman’s connection with Atlas Oil, which developed a national emergency response system, of which Como is a part.
Norman added that while he was extremely grateful to the men who are deployed, he noted that there are a lot of other Como Oil employees who are picking up the work here at home while they are gone. “This is the busiest time of year for us, so those folks are also supporting the relief effort in that way,” said Norman.
Thompson has commercial and hazardous fuels licenses and a background in cross country trucking. While working at Como Oil & Propane in Grand Marais, Thompson delivers fuel to homes and businesses, as well as equipment on job sites, such as the construction area on Devil Track Road this past summer.
Wiley and his wife Connie live in Grand Marais. He is the son of Walter and Irene Thompson of Grand Marais.
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