Crystal Flash names president, CEO

Gandy (Photo: Jamie West, Komohana LLC)

Crystal Flash, a Grand Rapids, Michigan-based energy distribution company, hired Brad Gandy as its new president and CEO.

“It is an honor to join the employee-owners of Crystal Flash as we strive to build our growing, well-known and trusted brand,” Gandy says. “We will continue to focus on delighting our more than 30,000 customers and working hard to earn new customers’ trust throughout our service area. It is amazing to join a company that just commemorated its 90th anniversary.”

Gandy has more than 30 years of leadership and operations experience. Most recently, Gandy served as vice president of North American operations for Pacific Cycle Inc., since 2020.

Previously, Gandy spent 15 years with Brunswick Corp.’s Bowling & Billiards and Attwood Marine brands, along with roles at Haworth Inc., Nestlé Waters and Roadway Corp.

He succeeds Tom Olive, who will retire in May after serving in the role since 2015. Olive will continue to serve on the company’s board of directors.

“It has been an honor serving the beneficial owners of team Crystal Flash as we transitioned from family ownership to a successful, free-standing, employee-owned enterprise focused on safely delighting our customers every single day,” Olive says.

“The board recognized how the way Brad values people addresses the immediate need to connect with our employee-owners and customers in a meaningful way. His vision of the future dovetails nicely with our current strategic plan,” says Ken Misiewicz, chair of the board of directors.

Established in 1932, Crystal Flash is a 100 percent employee-owned energy distribution company serving residential, commercial and agricultural customers across Michigan and other Midwestern states. The company specializes in the sale and distribution of propane, diesel, gasoline and lubricants. It currently has more than 320 employee owners.

The company ranks No. 25 nationwide for retail propane gallon sales and No. 1 among single-state independent retailers in the 2023 LP Gas Top Propane Retailers ranking.