For three decades Pulaski, Tenn., native Ron Currin buttoned up his white shirt and tied a Windsor knot in his necktie and went to work as a bank vice president, but when he retired in 1994, he took an entirely different direction.

Ron and his wife, Cindy, moved to Athens and opened their first Express Oil franchise. From there, they opened a Cullman franchise.

A graduate of Ardmore High School, Martin College in Pulaski and Louisiana State University School of Banking in Baton Rouge, when it came time to begin his career he didn’t stray far from home.

“I began my banking career at First National Bank in Huntsville — now Regions — as a branch manager,” he said. “From there, I went to National Bank of Commerce in Birmingham as an executive vice president and member of the board of directors.

“After that, I went to First American in Pelham where I was executive vice president and a member of the board of directors. When we sold that bank, I retired.”

But still young and not ready to retire, Ron looked around for another business interest.



New direction



“Jim Lunsford was the founder of Express Oil in 1978,” said Ron. “Jim and I became friends while I lived in Birmingham and I followed his progress for all those years. So when we sold the bank, I was already familiar with his business and I decided I’d give it a try as a franchisee.”

Lunsford sold out his interest n 1998.

“Express Oil as continued on as an Alabama company with headquarters in Birmingham,” said Ron.

The main change Ron said he has seen in the business is a price increase.

“Numerous oil increases is one of the biggest things we’ve experienced,” said Ron. “But the most difficult is getting qualified employees.”



Competition



Ron says that competition in his business comes from many directions.

“We do all mechanical work, but we’re in competition with independent shops, car dealers, tire dealers — there’s just lots of competitors for the business.”

Today, Ron has two Express Oil shops in Athens and two in Cullman and divides his time between the locations.

Ron is a member of Athens Rotary Club and he and his wife Cindy attend First Baptist Church. They have one daughter, Meloni McDougal, and grandson, Hunter McDougal.