Luke Oil Company was founded in 1967 by Ralph Luke as a home heating fuel supplier in Hobart, Ind. Today, Luke Oil is a third-generation, family owned company that has diversified into various commercial divisions.

What is Luke Oil

Luke Oil is a petroleum wholesaler, selling fuel to 100 gas stations throughout northwest Indiana and Chicago and is a fuel distributor for Shell, Mobil, Citgo, Marathon, and Phillips; Luke Oil is a petroleum hauler, delivering fuel to 100 gas stations throughout Northwest Indiana and Chicago, maintaining a fleet of eight trucks and 10 drivers; Luke Oil is a convenience store operator and currently operates 23 convenience stores in northwest Indiana; Luke Oil is a car wash operator with seven $5 car washes in northwest Indiana; Luke Oil is a Subway franchisee, operating one Subway franchise in Valparaiso; Luke Oil is a liquor store operator with seven liquor stores in northwest Indiana; Luke Oil is a major distributor of wholesale fireworks in northwest Indiana; Luke Oil is owner and operator of County Line Orchard, the largest U-pick apple orchard destination in Chicagoland, specializing in school tours, corporate events, and one-tank weekend trips; Luke Oil is a full service general contractor; Luke Oil is a real estate developer, owning and developing various commercial properties including convenience stores, retail centers, big box developments, restaurants, and office buildings; Luke Oil is an investor, facilitating investment opportunities and partnerships for a group of local investors.

Luke Oil is a landscaping and maintenance company, operating a small landscaping, lawn care, and general maintenance company.

Most people in the region recognize the name Luke Oil from the gas stations they patronize for their quality fuel at a good price. ³Luke Oil currently owns 30 stations, operates 23 stations, and has two new stations under construction which are scheduled to open April 2009. There are four new stations and five new car washes being planned for development in 2009,² says Tom Collins, Jr., vice president of retail operations for Luke Oil. ³In addition to the traditional offerings of gas, cigarettes, and grocery, all stores are being retrofitted to include our proprietary $1 beverage program, Noble Romanıs Pizza, Broaster Chicken, and a Luke $5 Car Wash,² he says.

Who are Luke Oilıs Staff and Officers

Luke Oil is a family business, founded by Ralph Luke (1931-2007). Ralph Luke was born and raised in Hobart, Ind. along with his four brothers and one sister. After graduating from Hobart High School, Ralph spent time overseas in the Air Force. Upon his return, he went to work for Van Senus Oil. With the help of Bill Van Senus, Ralph would go on to purchase Van Senus and start Luke Oil Company. After 40-years in business Ralph had created a small local empire that employed more than 500 people. In addition to Luke Oil, Ralph was also a major shareholder in Duke of Oil and Zelıs Roast Beef. His greatest asset was his personality and his ability to inspire others. Humbled by his success and fortune, Ralph never relocated, staying loyal to northwest Indiana and its institutions.

Thomas M. Collins, Sr., CEO and president of Luke Oil, began working for his father-in-law, Ralph Luke, in 1980. Tom worked side by side with Ralph to grow Luke Oil into the business that it is today. Tom was personally responsible for Luke Oilıs north Lake County growth strategy in the late Œ90s. Today, Tom spends most of his time managing and growing the wholesale fuel and transportation businesses. Tom is also active in the companyıs future growth plans, real estate development, and investment opportunities.

Tom has two children and seven grandchildren.

Thomas M. Collins, Jr., vice president of retail operations, started with Luke Oil in 1999 after graduating from Indiana University. Collins Jr.

is responsible for retail operations, commercial construction, acquisitions, and investor relationships. Tom has four children.

Ryan Richardson, vice president of Luke Oil, started with Luke Oil in

2001 after graduating from Purdue University. Ryan is responsible for orchard operations, real estate development, and commercial construction.

Ryan has three children and is married to Kristin (Collins) Richardson.

The family has always been, and continues to be, very close and supportive of each other, working in a trusting relationship, both personally and in business.

What does Luke Oil represent

It is Luke Oilıs mission to consistently provide solid growth opportunities for all partners and associates who qualify. It is the vision of the company to set the standard for quality, convenience, and service in every market they serve. Their core values are loyalty, duty, respect, service, honor, integrity, and courage.

Serving U

³Our most important program for 2009 is the roll out of our new Luke U ‹ Serving U image to all of our retail sites by the end of the year. This program is not only designed to establish a consistent company image, but more importantly to help facilitate a company culture focused on three levels of service: serving oneıs development as a professional and as a person; serving the companyıs mission, fellow co-workers, and the team; serving the customer and the community,² says Collins, Jr.

Serving U helps its staff realize their own potential and happiness, function together as a team, and give the best service possible to customers. The term ³Serving U² symbolizes the employee as a person, their level of self-respect, and their determination to grow within the company and their profession. This includes excellence in the areas of appearance and attitude, honor, integrity, courage, and respect. With regard to the company, the term Serving U symbolizes their commitment to serve other team members in an effort to help them succeed and grow within the company. This includes excellence in team work and communication, loyalty, duty, and respect. For customers, the term Serving U symbolizes Luke Oilıs commitment to serve their customers. This includes excellence in personality, cleanliness, consistency, availability, and service.

Luke Oil in the Community

Luke Oil is a dedicated to giving back to the community it serves. Tom Collins, Jr. says, ³We sponsor and donate to 20 different charities throughout the year. We have been averaging more than $100,000 in charitable contributions over the past three years.² Tom Collins, Jr. has been active with Opportunity Enterprises through the OE Marathon Team. ³Also, we are a major supporter of the Reilly Bush Foundation out of Valparaiso including our annual Reillyıs Wash and the Reillyıs Run at County Line Orchard,² he says.

What does the future hold for Luke Oil

Luke Oil is committed to the development of people, serving to recruit and retain high quality individuals by promoting its mission and vision statements. It will continue to provide quality growth opportunities for partners and associates who qualify by adopting its core values. Luke Oil will continue to be the preferred place of employment in the industries they serve and they strive to be one of the top ten places to work in northwest Indiana.

Luke Oil also plans to further develop County Line Orchard by adding a food commissary, farm market co-op, community garden program, art and music classes and programs, becoming a small business incubator for farm market products and services, improving the educational component of current school programs, completing the development of a 25,000 square-foot barn to host weddings, events, and conventions, and creating a setting to host philanthropic and community events.

3592 N Hobart Rd

Hobart, IN

219-962-7676

www.uluke.com