About Us

---

  Gala Gas Company was founded in 1964 by brothers Marvin and Elkin Carter. From humble beginnings on a farm in Goshen, Alabama, these two would become partners in several successful business ventures. Marvin graduated from Alabama Polytechnic Institute (Auburn University) in 1941, and Elkin enlisted in the US Army Air Corps as a B-17 pilot a short time later. When Elkin returned from service in 1950, he joined his brother in various timber businesses Marvin had started in Eufaula, Al and Georgetown, Ga. They had a sawmill, a planer mill, a hardwood veneer mill, a gasoline service station, and other enterprises in Barbour, Henry, Pike, and Quitman counties. By the early 1960’s, they installed a bulk propane tank at the Alabama-Georgia Veneer site in what was called the “Hoboken” area north of downtown Eufaula to increase efficiency of the mill.
   As Elkin would recount: “We were sitting in the office one day and one of us said, ‘Since we have a tank, we might as well get a truck and start peddlin’ the stuff.’” When it was time to name and incorporate the newly formed propane company, the conclusion was: “…since the veneer business is named Alabama-Georgia Veneer, we’ll just flip the name around and use the state abbreviations.” GALA Gas was born. Operations expanded to Clayton and Troy.
   After Marvin’s death and the sale of the Troy branch in the early 90’s, Elkin’s son Bragg came on board to run the business with his father. The two would operate the business together with great help from long time Office Manager Ruth Shelley, Customer Service Manager Carolyn Sanderson, Bobtail Driver Billy Bradford, and Servicemen Chester Strickland and Earl Robertson. Bragg Carter passed from this world too soon in 2005, but his great character is still spoken of in the community. In 2007, Elkin approached his grandson Ed Balkcom about buying the business and taking it over. The deal was made the following year and the third generation of the Carter family became involved in the business. In 2011, Ed’s sister and brother-in-law Sadie and Art Neville would join the organization as partners. Ed’s construction and land development experience and the Neville’s finance and operational background have contributed to the company’s growth over the past decade.
   Our staff has grown with our customer base and the areas we serve, and they are the key to the reputation of Gala Gas. Ed’s wife, Rebecca, and Callie Kegley handle customer interface and the front of the office. Bobtail drivers Chris Baker and Keith Murray deliver fuel safely and timely to our customers. Servicemen Joe Hodges and Jeff Erickson maintain over 3,000 gas systems in our area to ensure their safe and dependable operation. 

   At Gala Gas we understand perfection is unattainable, but if we aim for it, we can achieve excellence. Our aim is to offer quality LP (propane) products and services to customers in our service area. We work with contractors, homebuilders and individuals to design custom, quality gas systems and provide the right set of appliances for any home, restaurant, industrial or agricultural setting; specializing in installation and service on all products.
There is always something to see in the Gala Gas store, such as appliances, ranges, indoor/outdoor hearth products, Rinnai tankless water heaters, and Phoenix Grills. Come by and see us, we'd love to meet you!