Ray Powell started R.E. Powell Distributing in 1935 much like many great companies in our country started. He was the first and for a while the only employee. Even as he hired employees to help him he was still often found in the truck delivering on the service that his customers had grown to love and appreciate. Over the years Ray became an integral part of the agricultural community in the rural Lower Yakima Valley, WA area.
Ray passed away in 1979 and Gary and Annette Christensen purchased the small fuel distributorship in 1980. Gary had been working for Mobil Oil in various management capacities for a decade and had heard excellent things about the business. He and Annette were excited about the excellent reputation for great customer focus and service that Ray had developed. This is why the company honors Ray by bearing his name to this day.
Over the years the Christensen family has built upon Ray's legacy and has created one of their own. R.E. Powell is now one of Powell–Christensen, Inc.'s companies which has grown from 5 employees in 1980 to now over 270 employees and currently ranks as one of the Top 20 largest privately–owned companies in the state of Washington.
The Powell–Christensen, Inc. family has continued to grow and thrive by focusing on helping others succeed. This is very evident in the companies that are under Powell–Christensen Inc.'s umbrella. Each company has been developed to create added opportunities for customers as well as for personal and professional growth of those within the company. Some of these wholesale and retail companies include R.E. Powell Distributing, General Transport, Amerifuel, Ameristar, Ameriwash and Ameristorage. All of which are in place to better serve those whom we are dedicated to – Our Customer.