In a time when big hair, cassette tapes, and Atari ruled the world, one company was quietly shaping the future in a less flashy but infinitely more impactful way. It was 1982, and at Petrolane’s Signal Hill headquarters, the Explorer Scouts were about to make history. The occasion? The completion ceremony for the COBOL Data Processing Program, a unique initiative aimed at equipping young minds with cutting-edge programming skills.
The room buzzed with excitement as participants gathered for the culmination of months of hard work. Among the attendees was Chris Vollentine, a bright-eyed Scout who had just successfully completed the program. Awarding him the certificate was none other than John C. Wallace, Petrolane’s esteemed CEO and a man whose vision extended far beyond the propane tanks and pipelines that made his company a giant in the industry.
Wallace, in a sharp suit and a warm smile, exuded pride as he handed Chris his completion certificate. “Congratulations, Chris,” he said, shaking his hand firmly. “You and your fellow Scouts represent the future of technology, and I have no doubt you’ll go on to achieve great things.”
The significance of the moment wasn’t lost on anyone in the room. This was more than a mere certificate ceremony; it was a testament to the power of investing in young talent. Petrolane’s COBOL program was groundbreaking, offering high school students a chance to learn COBOL—a programming language that was the backbone of business and government computing at the time. For the Scouts, it was an unparalleled opportunity to get hands-on experience in a field that was just beginning to reshape the world.
The Visionary CEO: John C. Wallace
At the heart of this initiative was John C. Wallace, a man who understood the importance of giving back to the community. Wallace, who had joined Petrolane in 1950 and risen through the ranks to become its president and CEO, was more than just a business leader. He was a visionary who saw technology not as a threat, but as an opportunity.
Under his leadership, Petrolane became the largest propane marketer in the U.S. But Wallace’s ambitions extended beyond corporate success. He wanted Petrolane to be a force for good in the community, and the COBOL Data Processing Program was a shining example of that commitment.
Chris Vollentine: A Scout’s Journey
For Chris Vollentine, the program was nothing short of transformative. “I’ve always been fascinated by computers,” he said, clutching his certificate. “But this program took my interest to a whole new level. Learning COBOL wasn’t easy, but it was incredibly rewarding. It’s amazing to think that the code we write can solve real-world problems.”
Chris’s journey through the program was marked by late nights debugging code, collaborative projects with fellow Scouts, and the occasional moment of frustration—followed by the exhilaration of solving a particularly tricky problem. “It’s like solving a puzzle,” he explained. “And once you get it, the feeling is unbeatable.”
The Legacy of the Program
The Explorer Scouts COBOL Data Processing Program wasn’t just about teaching kids to code. It was about preparing them for a world that was on the cusp of a technological revolution. By the early 1980s, computers were becoming indispensable in business, government, and even everyday life. Petrolane’s program gave these young Scouts a head start, equipping them with skills that would soon be in high demand.
Looking back, it’s clear that the program’s impact extended far beyond the Scouts who participated. It was a testament to the power of corporate-community partnerships and a reminder of what can be achieved when businesses invest in the next generation.
A Moment to Remember
The photo from that day tells a story all its own. John C. Wallace, the seasoned CEO, standing beside Chris Vollentine, the young Scout who would later be better known as the Founder or Entar renamed Corey Chambers. In the background, a smiling fellow participant beams with pride. It’s a snapshot of a moment in time when the past, present, and future converged in a single frame.
As we reflect on that day in 1982, it’s worth remembering that the true measure of success isn’t just the profits a company generates. It’s the lives it touches, the opportunities it creates, and the legacy it leaves behind. For Petrolane, and for John C. Wallace, the Explorer Scouts COBOL Data Processing Program was all that and more.
Tech pioneers require tremendous help from many teachers, mentors and philanthropists like Mr. Wallace. The Petrolane-sponsored Exporer Scouts COBOL Data Processing program was one of many learning steps that helped eventually turn Chris into today’s leading pioneer of blockchain and AI for real estate.
So here’s to the Scouts who dared to dream, the CEO who believed in them, and the program that brought them together. They may not have known it at the time, but they were pioneers in a brave new world, coding their way into history.
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