Meet John Hodges, Operations Manager of Euliss Propane Company

How did you get your start in the propane industry?

I got my start in the propane industry at just 16 years old, washing and painting propane tanks at Euliss Propane. Propane was already familiar to me because my grandfather spent 50 years in the industry with Euliss. After graduating high school, I pursued a career as a firefighter with the Town of Cary in Cary, North Carolina. While working as a firefighter, I returned to Euliss Propane as a part-time delivery driver on my days off. That experience opened my eyes to how much opportunity existed within the propane industry.

I wanted to learn more, so I transitioned into service and installation work, continuing to work at Euliss on my days off. The more I learned about the industry, the more I realized there was a long-term career opportunity in front of me. After about a year of working part time, I made the decision to leave my firefighting career and pursue propane full time. I started as a service technician, eventually became the lead service technician and later transitioned into my current role as operations manager.

Looking back, what started as a summer job washing and painting tanks at 16 has turned into a career that I’m extremely proud of. I’ve had the opportunity to learn the industry from the ground up, work alongside some great people, and now help lead the next generation of our team.

What do you think would surprise someone about the work you do?

I think most people would be surprised by just how much goes into the propane industry beyond simply delivering fuel. When most people think of propane, they think of a delivery truck filling a tank. In reality, there is an entire system of service, installation, safety and coordination behind that delivery.

At Euliss Propane, we install propane tanks and gas piping and service a wide variety of appliances, including gas logs, space heaters, gas ranges, tankless water heaters and whole-home generators. Our technicians have to understand multiple manufacturers, appliance systems, fuel systems and installation requirements. We also have to stay current on local and state codes and follow strict safety requirements for propane installations and service.

There is also a tremendous amount of coordination that happens behind the scenes. An installation may involve permitting, inspections, scheduling multiple trades, coordinating equipment and materials, and making sure everything is completed correctly and safely. We are not just putting equipment in the field — we are responsible for making sure those systems operate safely for our customers for years to come.

I think that level of professionalism and responsibility is something people don’t always associate with the propane industry. It really is a team effort every day, and safety has to remain at the center of everything we do.

How has your experience working in different roles shaped the way you approach your role today?

Working in different roles throughout the propane industry has given me a much better understanding of the people I lead and the challenges they face every day. I’ve worked in delivery, service and installation, so I understand what it takes to safely complete the work in the field — not just from a management perspective, but from firsthand experience.

My experience in service and installation has allowed me to develop a strong understanding of appliances, fuel systems, and local and state code requirements. I also maintain my North Carolina fuel piping license and have the experience and qualifications to step into different roles when needed. That knowledge helps me make better decisions and, more importantly, gives me the ability to teach, mentor and train our team.

I try to lead with empathy and by example. I understand the conditions our technicians and drivers work in, whether that means extreme weather, difficult installations, challenging service calls or simply trying to get everything done safely and efficiently. My goal is to help make those conditions as safe and manageable as possible.

I also believe there is a level of respect that comes from being willing to do the work yourself. I don’t believe in asking my team to do something that I wouldn’t be willing to do. I may not be in the field every day anymore, but I make an effort to step in and help when the opportunity arises. I think that is an important part of leading by example.

Finally, my field experience has helped me tremendously with customer relationships. I still receive calls from customers with technical questions, and my experience allows me to understand their concerns, communicate solutions and help resolve issues quickly.

Ultimately, working my way through the different roles in the industry has taught me that leadership isn’t just about managing people. It’s about understanding their work, earning their trust, helping them succeed and being willing to stand alongside them when they need support.

What advice do you have for someone coming into the industry?

My biggest piece of advice would be to come into this industry with a willingness to learn. Don’t be afraid to start at the bottom, get your hands dirty and learn from the people around you. There is a tremendous amount of knowledge and experience in this industry, and some of the best lessons come from the people who have been doing this work for decades. I would also encourage someone new to find a good mentor. Ask questions, listen and take advantage of every opportunity to learn something new. The more you understand about the industry, the more opportunities you will create for yourself.

The propane industry has provided me with a career that I never expected when I started washing and painting tanks at 16 years old. I have been able to work in delivery, service, installation and now operations. Looking back, every position and every experience helped prepare me for the next opportunity.

There will be times when the work is difficult, the weather isn’t cooperating, or you’re faced with a problem you’ve never seen before. Those experiences are part of what makes you better. Be willing to put in the time, continue learning and take pride in doing the job the right way.

This industry has a lot to offer someone who is willing to work for it. You may start by delivering propane or working alongside a technician, but that doesn’t have to define where your career ends. My advice is simple: Learn as much as you can, find people who will invest in you and take advantage of the opportunities in front of you. You never know where they may lead.

Who have been the strongest influences on your career to date?

There have been several people who have had a significant impact on my career and the person I am today.

My mother taught me from a young age to never give up and that I could accomplish anything I put my mind to. That lesson has stayed with me throughout my career. There have been plenty of times when I’ve questioned whether I could figure something out or even wondered if I belonged in a particular room. In those moments, I remind myself of what she taught me. I rely on my training, experience and knowledge, and so far, I haven’t encountered a problem that I couldn’t find a way to solve.

Chris Stanley, the owner of Euliss Propane, has also had a tremendous impact on my life. He has invested in me both professionally and personally. He has given me opportunities to grow, challenged me to expand my abilities and trusted me with responsibilities that have helped me become the leader I am today. His willingness to pour into me has played a major role in my growth within this industry.

My grandfather has also been an incredible influence. He spent 50 years in the propane industry with Euliss Propane and has shared a tremendous amount of his knowledge and experience with me over the years. There is no substitute for 50 years of experience, and I’ve been fortunate to learn from many of his lessons without having to spend 50 years learning them myself.

When I look at my career, I realize how fortunate I have been to have people who believed in me, invested in me and were willing to share what they knew. I hope to do the same for the people coming behind me. If I can invest in someone else’s life and career the way these three people have invested in mine, then I believe I can have an impact that extends well beyond my own career.

How can propane companies show younger employees that the industry offers opportunities for long-term career growth?

I think the biggest thing propane companies can do is show younger employees that this is more than just a job — it can be a career. We have to give people a clear vision of where they can go and what they can accomplish if they are willing to put in the work.

At Euliss Propane, we have developed a three-tiered career pathway for our team members. It combines training requirements, licensing, internal and external testing and years of experience to create a clear path for advancement. Not everyone has the same goals or ambitions, and I don’t think they need to. Our responsibility as leaders is to understand what each person wants to accomplish and provide opportunities to help them reach their full potential.

We review these career pathways quarterly with our team members. That gives employees a clear understanding of what is expected of them, but it also holds us accountable as a company to provide the training, resources and opportunities necessary for them to advance.

I also think we need to do a better job of showing younger employees the many different career paths within our industry. Someone may start as a delivery driver or service technician, but that doesn’t have to be where their career ends. There are opportunities in service, installation, operations, sales, management, safety and many other areas of the business.

If we want to attract and retain the next generation, we have to invest in them. Give them a mentor, give them training, give them responsibility and, most importantly, give them a reason to believe they have a future in this industry.

I believe our goal should be to make propane a career, not just a job. When employees can see a clear path forward and know their company is willing to invest in them, they are much more likely to invest in themselves and in the future of the industry.

How would you describe your leadership style, and how does it contribute to the success of your team?

I would describe my leadership style as hands-on, approachable and focused on developing people. I believe people respond best to leaders who are willing to work alongside them, listen to them and help them become better at what they do.

Because I have worked in delivery, service, installation and now operations, I understand the challenges our team faces in the field. I don’t want to lead from behind a desk and make decisions without understanding what it takes to execute them. I try to stay connected to our team and the work they do every day.

I also believe strongly in leading by example. I don’t believe in asking someone to do something that I wouldn’t be willing to do myself. When the opportunity comes up, I’m willing to get in the field, help solve a problem or work through a difficult situation with our team. I think that creates trust and shows our employees that we are all working toward the same goal.

At the same time, I don’t believe leadership means having all the answers. One of the most important things I’ve learned is to listen to the people closest to the work. Our technicians, drivers and office staff often have a perspective that I may not see from my position. I want our team to feel comfortable bringing ideas, concerns and even disagreements to the table. Some of our best improvements have come from simply listening to the people doing the work.

Ultimately, my goal is to help people succeed rather than simply tell them what to do. I want our employees to understand the ‘why’ behind what we’re asking them to do, give them the training and tools they need and then hold them accountable for the results.

I believe a successful team doesn’t depend on one person having all the answers. It comes from building a team of people who trust each other, take ownership of their responsibilities and know that their leader is willing to invest in them. If I can help our people grow professionally and personally while creating a team that delivers a great experience for our customers, then I consider that successful leadership.

What or who motivates you?

My wife and my three daughters are my biggest motivation. They stand by my side through the long days, late nights, long weekends and even the times when work finds its way into our vacations. They understand the ‘why’ behind the work I pour myself into, and their support means more to me than I can put into words.

I’m also motivated by seeing the people around me grow. I really enjoy watching members of my team become better technicians, better teammates and better leaders, but also better parents, spouses and people. When someone sets a goal for themselves and I get to watch them work toward it and achieve it, that’s incredibly rewarding.

Leadership is hard work. There are days when the decisions are difficult, the problems seem endless and the responsibility can feel heavy. But I believe that when you have the right heart behind why you’re leading, the hard work becomes worth it.

I don’t want my leadership to only have an impact on what happens at Euliss Propane. I want the people I lead to take something positive from their time working with me and carry it into the rest of their lives. If I can help someone become more confident, reach a goal, provide better for their family, or simply become a better version of themselves, then I feel like I’ve done something meaningful.

Ultimately, I want my leadership to leave a lasting impact on people that goes far beyond the workplace.

What’s your funniest or favorite work memory?

We have a lot of fun at Euliss Propane, and over the years I’ve been fortunate to have some great opportunities to travel to different states, attend industry events and experience things I probably wouldn’t have experienced in another career.

But some of my favorite work memories are much simpler. They are the days I got to work alongside my grandfather when he was still with Euliss Propane.

I enjoyed being around him, listening to his stories, laughing with him and learning from him. He had 50 years of experience in the propane industry, so there was always something I could learn if I was willing to listen. Sometimes I was learning something technical, and other times it was simply learning from the way he handled a customer, approached a problem or carried himself at work.

Looking back, I realize how fortunate I was to have those opportunities. At the time, I was just working alongside my grandfather. Now, those are memories I truly value.

Getting to work with him and learn from him is something I’ll always be grateful for, and it’s probably one of my favorite parts of my career at Euliss Propane.

How would you spend an unexpected day off?

I would spend it with my family. I’ve learned over the years just how precious time is and how quickly our children grow up. No matter how busy life gets, I try to make the most of the time I have with my wife and three daughters. An unexpected day off would probably mean getting outside, slowing down and spending the day together. If we could be at the lake or the beach, even better. I’ve learned that work will always be there, but the time we have with our family is limited. Those unexpected days together are the ones I would never take for granted.

For other articles exploring inspiring stories from propane veterans, check out BPN’s Industry Insider section.