A man with many ties to the Franklin area has been named the 2008 Virginia Oilman of the Year.

Barry Grizzard, the regional brand sales director for Virginia and North Carolina for Virginia Beach-based PAPCO Oil Co., was recently presented the award in Williamsburg at the annual meeting and convention of the Virginia Petroleum Convenience and Grocery Association. The event marked the 60th anniversary of the association.

Grizzard was formerly the president of Sadler Bros. Oil Co. Inc., which owns Slip-In Food Mart on Armory Drive.

He had established many friends and business contacts in this area, and now works out of his home in Sussex.

The three qualifications considered in reviewing the nominees for the Virginia Oilman of the Year are service to the industry, community involvement and service to others.

“For the last two years, Barry has led the VPCGA with enthusiasm and vision for the future of the association, leaving us well prepared for VPCGA’s 60th anniversary and beyond,” said Mike O’Conner, VPCGA president. “I have had the privilege of working with Barry on a regular basis on a wide range of policy and administrative issues impacting our association. During this period, I learned that his passion for the industry, his employees, his customers, his suppliers, his family, his church and, of course, Virginia Tech was beyond others in our association.”

Grizzard works with his wife, Nancy, out of their home office. They have one daughter, April, who is a senior at Virginia Tech.