A family-owned business with deep roots in Western North Carolina.
In 1922, our founder, E. S. Koon, got his oil business start in Asheville, NC as a distributor for Atlantic under the name Koon Oil Company. In 1930, Gulf Oil Corporation asked him to take over as the distributor for their products and Asheville Oil Company was formed at our long-time location at 4 Fairview Road in Biltmore Village. The company weathered the Great Depression and rationing during World War II. Following the war, the founder’s son, G. N. (Nick) Koon, returned from service in the Navy to join his father in the business.
The company prospered following the war, expanding services to include service stations, tires, batteries, automobile accessories, lubricants and waxes along with the usual gasoline, diesel and heating oils. During the oil embargo and shortages in the early 1970’s, we worked hard to keep our customers in product, applying for allocations and petitioning the Federal Energy Office for emergency supplies.
After graduating college in 1979, Nick’s son Karl joined the company full time. Having grown up in the company working summers and vacations, he had hands-on experience in all phases of the business. In 1984, the company became the Authorized Lubricant Distributor of Mobil Oil Corporation for Western North Carolina. Since then, the company has become one of the leading lubricant suppliers in Western North Carolina.
In early 2004, Asheville Oil Company acquired Smoky Mountain Petroleum, again expanding our range of services to include propane and HVAC service and installation. Following this acquisition, Smoky Mountain Heating and Air was created as the HVAC division of Asheville Oil Company to serve residential and light commercial heating and air conditioning needs.
In 2013, E. S. Koon’s great-grandson Drew Thorp joined the company as the fourth generation to work in the business full time and he currently serves as Vice President, responsible for the day-to-day operations of Asheville Oil Company.
In October 2021, after over 90 years in the original buildings built by Gulf, we moved into our new 16,000+ square-foot office/warehouse off Brevard Road in West Asheville. We also acquired Filter Supply Inc. that same year to expand our offering, especially to heavy duty and off-road commercial customers. We are well positioned to continue to serve Western North Carolina as the only fully integrated petroleum supplier in the area.
Our Mission
We commit to being the best full-line oil company in Western North Carolina by adding a recognized value to our products and services through continuous growth, improvement and commitment to quality, service and excellence.
Our Vision
To provide products and services of such quality and value that customers seek us out to conduct business with.
The Asheville Oil Family
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Karl Koon
PRESIDENT/FACTOTUM
As the third generation to lead Asheville Oil Company, Karl sets the tone for honesty and integrity in all our business dealings while seeking opportunities for involvement in local and regional boards and commissions. He feels a sense of responsibility to give back to the community and make Western North Carolina a great place to live and work.
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Drew Thorp
VICE PRESIDENT
Drew is responsible for the daily functions of Asheville Oil Company and Smoky Mountain Heating & Air and ensures we efficiently and effectively serve our customers. When not handling day to day functions, his time is spent making plans for the company to flourish during the fourth generation of leadership.
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Kay Koon Thorp
CUSTOMER SERVICE—RETIRED
Kay worked in customer service and inside sales, helping with day to day needs of many of Asheville Oil’s longest standing customers. Today her time is spent with grandchildren and her dogs, but still makes time to help with special meals at the office.
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Jason Kast
OPERATIONS MANAGER
Jason manages the day to day operations in this ever-changing industry. Are you looking for a particular bucket tooth but you don't have the part number? Do you have large diesel or gasoline needs and would like to speak more about renting or purchasing a fuel tank? Jason takes care of all customers, big AND small!
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Silas Dollar
LUBRICANTS DEPARTMENT MANAGER
Silas can help you choose the best lubricant needed for your machine or equipment, backed by his wealth of knowledge and experience working with Mobil products. If you're not happy with the performance of your current oil, have received a new machine with specific oil requirements, or if you'd like a plant survey done to evaluate your oil inventory, give Silas a call!
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Josh Roland
ACCOUNT MANAGER
If you would like to schedule a site survey to help manage your fuel, oil, or filter needs, Josh is happy to swing by! By staying in the field rather than behind a desk, he can pop in and out for a short inventory check, or spend a little more time discussing your current or future projects. Contact Josh any time a face-to-face visit would be helpful.
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Allyson Cooper
OFFICE MANAGER
Allyson wears many hats in the office! If you need to purchase industrial oil, DEF, or filters...if you're looking to set a propane tank at your home...if you have a question about your account or about our services in general - contact Allyson to get you all set up.
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Sara Boucakis
LEAD ACCOUNTANT
Sara takes care of all the financial aspects for Asheville Oil Company and Smoky Mountain Heating & Air.
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Joyce Conner
ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE SPECIALIST
Whenever you need a copy of your invoice or statement of account, need to make a credit card payment or talk to someone about budget payments, give me a call. If you miss a payment, I’ll be giving you a call.
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Jonita O'Connell
HVAC SERVICE DISPATCHER
Jonita works with customers and schedules our HVAC service technicians for Smoky Mountain Heating and Air. She is also who you can talk to about our Preventative Maintenance Agreements to keep your furnace or air conditioner running efficiently.
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John Davis
HEATING OIL & MOTOR FUEL DELIVERY DRIVER
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Carl Norman
PROPANE DELIVERY DRIVER
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Sam Wallin
LUBRICANT & DEF DELIVERY DRIVER
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Greg Duke
LEAD HVAC TECHNICIAN
Greg is our lead HVAC technician and works with customers for quoting replacement furnaces and air conditioners along with service calls and diagnostics for repairing existing units.
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Brandan Duke
SERVICE TECHNICIAN