PrimeWOMAN Features NJ OIL Co President - Heating NJ Homes

Oct. 8, 2008 - PRLog -- Oil and Women – A Great Mix.
By Gena Ansell-Lande

Instead of relaxing at the beach like most 18-year old girls, Deborah Fineman spent a critical summer carrying cinder blocks and giving orders to construction crews who worked for her father’s construction company. This experience undoubtedly gave her the confidence to excel in a traditionally male role. Fineman, age 50 is now President of the Orange, New Jersey based Mitchell Supreme Fuel Company, one of the largest home heating oil suppliers in northern New Jersey and supplier of natural gas and electricity to New York commercial customers. Thanks to the many years of working for her father, Deborah fits right in as if she is just “one of the guys.”

In 1990, Mitchell Supreme hired Fineman as their general counsel. She was responsible for interpreting company policy and advising management; negotiating commercial contracts with vendors and suppliers; negotiating and closing acquisitions; clearing legal landmines for entry into the new deregulated energy business; and holding the line on wage and benefits while maintaining labor peace over four collective bargaining agreements. Her hard work and significant accomplishments paid off when she was named President over a year ago.

When she is not devoting her time to Mitchell Supreme Fuel, Deborah is quite active in her local community of Florham Park. She had taught second and third grade religious school students on weekends before stopping recently to train for the Charlotte Avon Walk for Breast Cancer – a 39 plus mile trek to raise money and awareness for breast cancer. Fineman also supports a number of Jewish organizations and her various other philanthropic endeavors include support of the New Jersey Performing Arts Center and Heifer International, an organization that works with communities to end hunger and poverty. She has two children, a daughter and a son, both in their early twenties..

PrimeWOMAN recently caught up with Deborah to get the inside scoop on what it is like working in this male dominated industry..

PW: How did spending summers working for your father’s construction company prepare you for your current role as President of Mitchell Supreme Fuel Company?
D.F.: I think it prepared me better than any job I have ever had. My dad always gave me great advice. I learned to organize my day and be persistent. Most importantly, I learned to ask for what I needed and the importance of making a decision and sticking to it.

PW: Tell us what interested you in getting involved in this industry.
D.F.: I started with my dad’s real estate company and got my real estate license as early as I could at age 18. I also worked in his construction business but...

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