Who We Are
Did you know that only 13% of U.S. small businesses are successfully passed to the third generation? We are 60 years and counting…
JJ Adams Fuel Oil Co., LLC is a third-generation, 100% African-American owned and 30% woman-owned fuel oil business that has been servicing residential and commercial clients in Baltimore City and surrounding counties for over 60 years. We have worked with thousands of clients - local and national - to meet their fuel needs. Our excellence has been recognized by the Maryland Washington Minorities Contractors Association (MWMCA), the Maryland Minority Contractors Association (MMCA) and the Small Business Association (SBA).
When Jethro Adams started this company in 1962, he unwittingly began an enduring legacy that has supported the local community and given birth to dozens of small businesses. In 2023 and beyond, we continue to expand this legacy.
Meet the Team
Please enjoy our “personality” bios. For professional biographies, feel free to email us.
Kenny Adams, 2nd-Generation Owner
…aka... “The Money Guy”
Kenneth unofficially started with JJ Adams Fuel about 60 years ago, when he just about 5 years old. He and his brothers were raised to be entrepreneurs. During their youth, the Adams Brothers owned and operated a snowball stand in the summertime during the slow season — and even then, Kenny was the “banker” (i.e., the guy who handled the money). Rest assured with Kenny in charge, discretionary spend is kept to a minimum and the line of credit stays funded so that we can pass the maximum savings to our customers and fund projects of any size.
Kenneth worked as a computer technician for 30 years upon retiring from IBM in 2006, when he rejoined JJ Adams Fuel to work with his Dad, full-time. He has a background in mainframe computers, entrepreneurship and penny-pinching. He spends his time happily continuing the JJ Adams Fuel legacy as owner/last-resort driver and volunteering as a Christian Minister.
Brittany Adams, Market Development Manager
…aka… “The Face of JJ”
If you’ve seen JJ Adams Fuel in the news (or on-screen practically anywhere else), then you’ve seen Brittany Adams! Effervescent and bright, Brittany keeps the community in the know regarding all things JJ… and behind-the-scenes, she is a force-to-be-reckoned with: Brittany, part of the third-generation of JJ Adams Fuel, was instrumental in implementing our commercial fuel quoting system, opening up JJ Adams Fuel to a new segment of the industry in 2012. She manages JJ Adams Fuel’s energy assistance program and considers each of those customers her personal clients. Always with a smile.
Brittany has a formal background in business, earning a B.S. Hospitality Management from Morgan State University. She is an award-winning, self-taught master chef and a gym-enthusiast.
Kendra Adams, Business Development Manager
…aka… “Numbers”
If you’re not quite sure what Kendra does, that’s okay … because she is not quite sure either! Jokes aside… dabbling a little in logistics and a bit in safety, you’ll often find Kendra networking at a business event, keeping the JJ Adams Fuel name in the mix for new business. She started with the company informally at 16 years old and returned full-time in 2017 after spending 10 years as an engineer in business, project management and safety. Her experience and love of mathematics (and Excel spreadsheets) allows her to bring her strengths of process improvement, profit maximization and proposal writing to JJ Adams Fuel.
Kendra has a formal background in engineering, earning a B.S. Electrical Engineering from Morgan State University. She is a health and fitness fanatic, spending hours at the gym, and earned a B.S. Nutritional Science, also from Morgan State.
Vanessa Adams, Payroll and Billing Manager
…aka… “The Invoice Lady” (or just, Vee)
If you want to know where the real power lies, you’ve found it. Vanessa oversees all the payments flowing in and out of JJ Adams Fuel and is responsible for ensuring that all customers are invoiced accurately and timely. Starting full-time in 2002, Vanessa “cleaned up shop” — she moved the company from “hand-shake” deals to formal pricing, ensured proper accounting of taxes, assisted with migrating from paper records to electronic systems and improved the dispatch/communication system with our drivers. She can balance a book, down to the penny. Nothing gets past Vee!
In her spare time, Vanessa enjoys walking and lifting weights at the gym. She is a regular volunteer as a Christian Minister, having been through formal training as an evangelizer and devoting thousands of hours to the Christian ministry.
Edison (Ed), Lead Driver
…aka… “The Historian”
If you’ve received a JJ Adams Fuel delivery within the past 30 years, it’s highly likely you’ve met Ed! He started and gained many hours of experience as a Helper alongside our Founder, JJ Adams, himself, building a resume that cannot be duplicated. Now, with his countless hours of experience, Ed knows the ins-and-outs of all the stops…and has a great story to go along with it. Fast, friendly and reliable, his driving record is stellar and he ensures customer satisfaction with each delivery he makes. Not fully satisfied? Ed will double-back to make it right. A frequent request by customers, Ed is as good as it gets!
Aaron Sr., Senior Driver
…aka… “Friendly Neighborhood Fuel Man"
Yes, he earns this reputation because he saves the day! With over 20 years of fuel delivery experience, JJ Adams Fuel is ecstatic to welcome such a highly-qualified, invaluable team player back to our family. Aaron specializes in home heat delivery, so the customers are always smiling when he arrives…and he wastes no time doing it: Aaron frequently arrives early and works late, leaving the office with his motto, “gotta go!” if we are holding him up from his customers who are eagerly awaiting his arrival. He has a keen sense of customer service and completes his tasks with the highest quality and safely. No wonder the customers ask for him by name!