Meet Mark Hardy, Propane Delivery Driver at Valley Energy

Please describe your role at Valley Energy. How long have you been in this role? 

I’m a propane delivery driver for Valley Energy and have been in this role for 20 years. In addition to making deliveries, I instruct high school students around the area for No-Zone, where new drivers get the experience of sitting in the driver’s seat of the truck and examining the blind spots (or ‘no-zones’) around every semitruck. The No-Zone project is something that I’m very passionate about and have been doing for over 16 years. This whole exercise is about getting students to think about the dangers of driving in the ‘no-zone.’ Many of them are just beginning to take their driver education course, so while they might not have experience driving around 18-wheelers, it is good to see things from a truck driver’s perspective before going out on the road themselves. As part of the training, each student receives a brochure detailing the blind spots of large trucks, so that when they do get behind the wheel, they are aware of how to pass, merge and drive safely around semitrucks.  

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

It is important to take your time — you don’t want to rush, so you can do it right each time.  How did you get your start in the propane industry? I started as a fuel oil delivery driver, like my dad who had done it for over 47 years. In 2007, Bill Murphy gave me my start in the propane industry when he asked me if I would be interested in switching departments and learning something new. I have been a propane delivery driver ever since then.  

What’s the most important lesson you have learned from a mentor/manager? 

Don’t forget the little things. Sometimes the problem is simple, but you are looking for a bigger thing instead. For example: ‘You can’t move liquid without vapor.’ 

What’s your funniest/favorite work memory? 

Funny now (but not funny in the moment): Once, I was making deliveries in snow up to my chest, and my delivery assistant had to use the hose to reel me back into the truck because the snow was so deep and the path was so small. My favorite memory is every time I have gotten to teach a No-Zone class. I hope that at the end of the day I’ve made a difference for at least one student. 

What’s your favorite part of the workday? 

Chatting with customers and seeing their dogs.  

How would your colleagues describe you? 

My colleagues have described me [in their own words] as:  

• ‘Hardworking.’
• ‘Very friendly to all he meets — customers often compliment him and share how much they enjoyed the conversation while he delivered to their tank.’
• ‘Reliable.’
• ‘Trustworthy.’ 

What are some of your hobbies outside of work? 

Anything outdoorsy like off-grid camping, going to the beach and shark fishing with my wife.  

What’s something not a lot of people know about you? 

I wear my heart on my sleeve. 

What’s a skill you’d like to work on? 

I would love to learn more about the service side of propane and experience what their day is like. 

If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be? 

Pizza. 

What’s the best compliment you’ve ever received? 

On Christmas Eve one year, a windstorm had knocked out the power for an entire neighborhood I was delivering to. Everyone was running on propane generator power and needed deliveries desperately. Every interaction I had with customers, they showed how thankful they were for making deliveries on such a cold day. Everyone was so happy and made sure to run outside and thank me when I arrived to make a delivery.