Seth Obetz partners with Shipley to launch Seth Energy

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Obetz’s former company Worley & Obetz closed its doors earlier this month and filed for bankruptcy amid news it was being investigated for fraud related to a former executive. 

In the days following, Obetz announced a new venture called Obetz Energy. But in the announcement today, he said he will be heading up a new Shipley division to be called Seth Energy.

The unit will be focused on growing the company’s presence in Lancaster and other southeastern Pennsylvania counties, where customers may need new suppliers after the closure of Worley & Obetz, which was based in Penn Township, Lancaster County. The closure also led to job losses for about 250 people.

“With the recent changes in the energy marketplace in Lancaster County, there are customers who are without product and talented people out of work,” Dave Gruno, CEO of Shipley Energy, said in a statement. “The opportunity to add a proven team of energy professionals and to have someone of Seth’s integrity and character leading this endeavor is a strong combination that we are confident will translate to long-term success for Seth Energy.”

The name Seth Energy was chosen to highlight Obetz’s dedication and commitment to the community and to avoid any confusion with the previous business that closed earlier this month, Shipley Energy said.

Seth Energy will provide heating and air conditioning services, as well as heating oil, propane, natural gas and electricity to customers in Lancaster and other southeastern Pennsylvania counties. It employs about a dozen former Worley & Obetz workers.

“The opportunity to partner with the Shipley Energy team and launch this new division with them is one I am grateful for, and we are excited to get back to serving the Lancaster community,” Obetz said in a statement. “The Lancaster market values local companies who provide quality service, and we believe that our local roots combined with the support of Shipley Energy will enable Seth Energy to grow quickly, get customers the products and services they need, and get people back to work.” 

The division will initially be headquartered in Manheim, Lancaster County until a permanent location is finalized.