POHL OIL CO.
After serving his country in the United States Army, Elvan Pohl, with his wife Mary Ellen and new born son Allan, started Pohl Oil Company by buying a gasoline station in the couple’s home town of Westphalia, Michigan. This business consisted of a 12’x12’ building and three Leonard branded gasoline pumps.
Through the ensuing years, Elvan grew the business to include auto repair and bulk delivery of gasoline, diesel fuel, and home heating oil. In 1971 Paul Ulrich merged his fuel business with Pohl Oil and became its lead delivery driver. Paul’s Ashland gasoline station eventually was traded for the delivery route of the Fowler Co-Op, a Mobil distributor, in 1983. Paul continued driving for Pohl Oil for over 44 years, retiring in 2015.
Elvan’s family was also expanding through the years, growing to six sons and two daughters. All of the boys helped out at the gas station throughout their high school years. After graduating from Central Michigan University in 1980 and teaching for two years, Luke joined the family business and expanded the auto repair portion of the business. In 1984 a NAPA auto parts store was added to the Westphalia station.
After graduating from Central Michigan in 1987 and working for Total Petroleum in Southfield, Michigan, Dan joined his father and brother in the family business. In 1992 the bulk fuels route of Farmers Petroleum Co-Op of Saint Johns was purchased. In 1994 Pohl Oil expanded into the propane business, serving the home heating and crop drying needs of its customer base. In the ensuing years contracts to supply independently owned Mobil gasoline stations in the area were signed, leading to further growth of the company.
In 2000 Dan and Luke opened a Mobil branded fuel stop at exit 86 off of Interstate 96 in Grand Ledge, MI. The 5200 square foot travel plaza leases space to a franchisee owned Mcdonalds restaurant. In 2002 Elvan sold his shares in the company to Dan and Luke and semi-retired.
In 2011 Luke sold his share of Pohl Oil to Dan but retained his interest in the truck stop. In 2012 Steve Simon merged his business with Pohl Oil and came to work with us.
Pohl Oil now has two transport trucks for large bulk fuel deliveries, four fuel trucks for home, farm and commercial deliveries, and four propane delivery trucks, enabling us to serve all of the needs of our central Michigan area of operations.
Our Team
Dan Pohl, President
dpohl@pohloilco.com | Phone: 989-292-0424
Dan is a 1987 graduate of Central Michigan University with a Bachelor’s of Science in Business Administration. In the late ‘80’s Dan worked for Total Petroleum in Southfield. In 1990 he went to work for the family business and today is the President of Pohl Oil. Dan has been and is very active in several community and church leadership roles. Dan has held several positions related to Pohl Oil’s affiliation with Mobil Oil. Dan has also been the past President of the Central Michigan Oilmen’s Club, a Zone Director for MPA/MACS and has served on the MPA Michigan Petroleum Service Corporation. Dan lives in Westphalia with his wife Jennifer, daughters Kylen and Dani and son Anthony.