USA, Oklahoma

Lloyd G. Austin – 57 died on Tuesday March 4th, 2008, as a result of a tragic plane crash, which also took the lives of Garth Bates, President United Engines, and Frank Pool, vice president. Lloyd was born on July 27th, 1950, in Fredonia Kansas and grew up in Alamosa, CO.  He was a Vietnam veteran serving with the Navy Seabees.  During his career he worked for Stewart & Stevenson Services Inc. Denver CO.  He then moved to Waterloo, Ontario Canada and founded GFI Control Systems Inc. serving as President and CEO.   He moved to Palm Coast from Canada in 2004.  Since 2006, Lloyd has been vice- president of United Holdings which is an affiliate of United Engines in Oklahoma City. (image source - Kitchener Waterloo Record).

A strong advocate for the environment, Lloyd was instrumental in shaping alternative fuel policy in the United States and Canada. He served on the US Federal Task Force Working Group to promote alternative fuel vehicle usage to enhance energy security, reduce emissions and foster economic development. Lloyd served on the boards of the Natural Gas Vehicle Coalition, Propane Vehicle Council and was a founder of the Canadian Natural Gas Vehicle Alliance.

In 2002, he received the NGV Champion award from the IANGV.  He spearheaded efforts to develop and commercialize heavy duty natural gas engines for bus applications to improve urban air quality in US cities, including Atlanta, Denver, Houston and Los Angeles.  Colleagues fondly recall his more fun promotional exploits, such as helping to race the first natural gas powered vehicle up Pikes Peak, CO and sending a natural gas powered transit bus from Toronto, Ontario to Denver, CO arriving on Earth Day.

Lloyd’s inspiration, and dedication, will be greatly missed.  Condolences and comments can be left in a memorial page at www.arrowstoatoms.com/?p=3