NPGA Announces Distinguished Service Award, Welcomes New Director
During the recent Propane Days gathering, the National Propane Gas Association (NPGA) recognized Ray Murray of Ray Murray Inc. (Lee, Mass.) with its highest honor, the NPGA Distinguished Service Award. Throughout his long career in the propane industry, Murray has been active with NPGA and his state association. In addition, he has chaired standing committees, task forces, and a membership section, as well as being a supporter of the Scholarship program and Women in Propane Business Council. Murray was recruited to serve as an officer of NPGA in 2009, and moved through the chairs to his election as chairman of the board. His time as chairman of the Executive Committee was highlighted by the planning and eventual launching of Vision 2014, now described as one…
During the recent Propane Days gathering, the National Propane Gas Association (NPGA) recognized Ray Murray of Ray Murray Inc. (Lee, Mass.) with its highest honor, the NPGA Distinguished Service Award.
Throughout his long career in the propane industry, Murray has been active with NPGA and his state association. In addition, he has chaired standing committees, task forces, and a membership section, as well as being a supporter of the Scholarship program and Women in Propane Business Council.
Murray was recruited to serve as an officer of NPGA in 2009, and moved through the chairs to his election as chairman of the board. His time as chairman of the Executive Committee was highlighted by the planning and eventual launching of Vision 2014, now described as one of the most successful strategic plans in the association’s history.
During NPGA’s board of directors meeting in June 2018, the 2018-2019 slate of officers was confirmed. Installed to serve were (from left) Robert Barry, president of Bergquist, Inc., treasurer; Randy Thompson, president and CEO of ThompsonGas, chairman elect; Chris Earhart, president of Dixie Gas & Oil Corp., and Denis Gagne, Eastern Propane Gas senior vice president of supply & acquisioins, vice chairman.
The Technology, Standards & Safety (TS&S) Committee received approval during NPGA’s board of directors meeting to establish a new committee category for those individuals who have served with distinction and who are deserving of the title “Emeritus Member of the TS&S Committee.” Sam McTier of Propane Technologies (Lake Forest, Ill.) was chosen as the first emeritus member.
McTier’s passion for propane is recognized industrywide. He began his career in the 1940s and was active on the TS&S Committee until very recently. His achievements are numerous, including past president of NPGA, former chairman of the Technology and Standards Committee, member of the Propane Education & Research Council, and member of several standards development committees. He was also a member of NFPA’s Technical Committee on Liquefied Petroleum Gases for 30 years.
BILL HILL AWARD Wayne Kohley,owner of
Excel Propane in Fruitport, Mich., was honored with the Bill Hill Award, which is given in recognition of an individual’s outstanding and lasting contributions to the propane industry in the area of government relations.
Michael Baker
recently joined the National Propane Gas Association (NPGA) as
Director of Legislative Affairs. He was previously chief clerk of the Ways and Means Committee of the House of Representatives, where he facilitated nearly 300 congressional hearings and 100 markups, and worked on legislative issues related to tax, trade, and healthcare. Baker’s primary responsibility was to orchestrate and execute all operations for its public facing meetings.
“We are thrilled to have Michael join our team,” said Phil Squair, senior vice president of public and governmental affairs. “He brings seven years of experience working for the House Ways and Means committee. He knows exactly how the committee works and he knows everyone on Capitol Hill.”
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