Issue link: http://psai.uberflip.com/i/1385567
ASSOCIATIONINSIGHT Portable Sanitation Association International News BIWEEKLY EDITION JUNE 23, 2021 Page 10 Fathers and Sons of the PSAI…continued from page 9 Continued on page 11 He continues, "Not many of my classmates had cars so I could usually recruit a helper for the deliveries and then drop them off at their house afterwards." Ron also remembers, "Family vacations were always the same…we attended the Pumper Show in Nashville." Around this time, Crosier's had begun to purchase fiberglass units from the Phil Carter Company and from Virginia Fiberglass. John was adamant that Ron would attend college and he encouraged his son to study engineering. Dad said, "Crosier's can't support two families." He believed that Ron needed to earn a college degree in order to prepare for his future. Ron did exactly that and more. In 1986, he earned an engineering degree from the Virginia Institute of Technology and later an MBA from Marshall University. Ron then enjoyed a 10-year engineering career. In 1996, Ron wanted to purchase the company from his father since John was 65 and ready to retire. "I purchased 51 percent of the company and paid it off in five years," Ron shares. "The funny thing is that Dad's 'retirement' consisted of continually working with Crosier's until age 75." Ron wanted to diversify Crosier's and the company began cleaning grease traps and hauling waste from coal mines. In a February 2012 article in Pumper Magazine, Ron described his diversification strategy: "Because it's hard work, fewer people are interested in providing these services, and less competition means higher profit margins." Ron became involved in the PSAI at the Annual Convention and Trade Show in St. Petersburg, Florida in 2000. "The previous year I had attended a Satellite training class in Atlantic City, and I then just went home. I had no idea that there was a PSAI event following this training." Ron joined the PSAI Board in 2007 and in 2013 he became President of the Association. His dedication, devotion, support, and hard work as Vice-President during the extremely challenging times for the PSAI in 2012–13 was vital to this effort. Inspired by his dad's quote "I will do it myself," Ron did just that in 2010 when he funded Downey Ridge Environmental Company. Using his knowledge of the grease industry as well as his engineering and business experience, he created "Greasezilla," which is described as "a turnkey standalone system that separates and processes FOG (fats, oils, grease) waste." The byproduct of this amazing system is that FOG is transformed into high-quality advanced biofuel as well as leaving no waste to be landfilled. The Greasezilla system has been or will be installed in communities throughout the world! Expect to hear more exciting news about this product in the months and years to come. George and Mike Rice Free-spirited…hard-working…fun-loving…dedicated…friends to all. These phrases describe the father and son duo of George and Mike Rice. George Rice was born April 16, 1938, in Perry, Oklahoma. From an early age he was active and involved in both school and sports. He was a high school football standout that achieved state recognition. He also began a life-long interest and appreciation of Harley Davidson motorcycles. As he began his career, he moved to Phoenix and started a municipal bond brokerage company. George eventually had to close this business yet his son, Mike, relates a valuable lesson that his father taught him as a result of this situation. "Failures are important." Mike continues, "Dad said to 'always try' in anything and in everything that you do. Learn from your mistakes." Ron Crosier earned a patent for his Greasezilla system. George Rice on one of his Harleys.