Natural Resources >> CEO Interviews >> September 6, 1999
BILLY D. PRIM is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Blue Rhino
Corporation, a North Carolina- based company which is the largest
propane gas cylinder exchange business in the U.S. Blue Rhino currently
services major retail chains, including Wal-Mart and Home Depot, in
forty-nine states and Puerto Rico. Blue Rhino offers consumers a
convenient and safe alternative to refilling empty 20 lb. liquid propane
cylinders. Mr. Prim is also president and chief executive officer of
American Oil and Gas, Inc., a North Carolina based distributor of
petroleum products. American Oil and Gas, Inc., formerly Moxley Oil and
Gas Company, was founded in 1956. Mr. Prim became president and chief
executive officer in 1975. Later, upon expansion across North Carolina,
the name was changed to American Oil and Gas Inc. AOG distributes
propane gas to residential, commercial, and agricultural customers; as
well as distributes home heating oil, diesel fuel, kerosene and
lubricants throughout North Carolina. Mr. Prim is president of Quik-Pik
Food Marts, Inc., which operates as convenience stores, distributing
Chevron gasoline products along interstate highways in North Carolina.
From 1979 to 1986, Mr. Prim was president and chief executive officer of
BD Investments, Inc., an interstate trucking company hauling various
commodities throughout the continental United States. In 1975, Mr. Prim
formed the Dean Prim Student Scholarship Fund, of which he is chairman,
in memory of his father. Each year, this foundation provides three
scholarships for students to attend four-year colleges and universities.
Mr. Prim is a partner in Platinum Venture Capital Fund and a member of
the Young Presidents' Organization. He also serves on the board of
directors of Brenner Children's Hospital, Southern Community Bank, and
the National Propane Gas Association. Mr. Prim is married, and resides
in Mooresville, North Carolina. Profile
tell us what you see as your company and as your business today?
Mr. Prim: Blue Rhino is the only nationwide provider
