NPGA Leaders Rally Industry During Fall Meetings

The propane industry faces a clear and present danger from those who want to ban the use of fossil fuels, but it also has an opportunity to grow by positioning propane as a source of clean energy. Members of the industry can make a difference by becoming advocates and teaching the people around them about the many benefits of this abundant, affordable, domestic fuel.

Those messages were heard throughout the NPGA fall board of directors meeting and related committee meetings held Sept. 29 through Oct. 1. Among those rallying the industry were the association’s chairman, its current president and CEO, and his successor, who is scheduled to take the helm Oct. 28. They each addressed participants at the Oct. 1 board of directors meeting.

First up was Randy Thompson, chairman of NPGA and a founder and senior advisor at ThompsonGas LLC. He said the pervasive messages that propane is a fossil fuel and that all fossil fuels should be eliminated are a clear and present danger. He added that “electrify everything” is unrealistic, and those who want to eliminate fossil fuels are uninformed.

“We need to deliver a cohesive and unified message to our many constituents,” he said. He explained that the industry needs to promote that propane is the cleanest fuel available to combat environmental issues; that there is more propane in the U.S. than anywhere else; and that propane is the best engine fuel available right here and now. Thompson referred to his previously announced goal of growing the industry by 4 billion gallons in five years and said the goal is achievable.

“There is fear of putting this kind of goal in front of us. But it is measurable; it is actionable; and it is realistic. It holds leaders accountable,” he said. “This is what I refer to as vision casting. But the real key to exponential growth is execution of the plan.”

When Thompson took the helm of ThompsonGas, it operated one location with 1.2 million gallons and eight employees. Now the company employs 800-plus people and operates in 20 states with 100 locations selling more than 100 million gallons.

In order to achieve his 4-billion-gallon growth challenge, Thompson believes the industry needs to gain control of the narrative and differentiate propane from other fuel sources. He concluded, “We must meet fossil fuel opposition with a good dose of education and robust public relations outreach.”

Next, Rick Roldan delivered the president’s report. Roldan is transitioning out of his position after 25 years with the association and 18 years as its president and CEO. “In my last report as president, I want to share some words to my successor,” he began. “We have spent two days talking about the headwinds facing this industry; I want to talk about the opportunities.”

Roldan noted that the propane industry has been around for 106 years and has proven to be adaptive. He pointed out that propane was first used for home lighting, was then used to fuel airships, and then became widely used for home heating and home cooking. Today, he added, its applications are expanding from burner tips to fuel injectors.

“This is a fantastic product,” he said. “It is clean, green, and American-made. It is part of what moved this country to energy dominance.”

Addressing his successor, Roldan concluded, “The people employed in this industry are the best that America has to offer. They have deep roots in their communities. They are willing to engage any time you ask them to. You are not alone. You will lead us to a future of growth and opportunity.”

In a special presentation following the president’s report, Thompson returned to the podium and announced that a scholarship would be awarded and named in Roldan’s honor, in perpetuity. The scholarship is already funded, and Roldan is invited to be involved in it.

The incoming president and CEO of NPGA, Stephen Kaminski, was then introduced. His appointment had been announced in a press release a week earlier. In the days preceding the Oct. 1 board of directors meeting, he had sat in on the related committee meetings, listening to the discussions and asking questions.

After being formally introduced at the board of directors meeting, Kaminski noted that he has degrees in chemical engineering and law and that his background includes federal and state advocacy; regulations; working on codes and standards; managing associations; communications; operations; and developing new programs and tools for members.

“I am particularly proud of providing leadership in turnaround conditions in industries I work for,” he said. Noting that he is new to propane, Kaminski said he will be asking a lot of questions. He said he will have a change mentality and a growth mentality and looks forward to hearing members’ thoughts on his suggestions. He also said that throughout his career he has had a history of not only playing defense, but also playing offense.

“We have challenges and we need to be aggressive,” Kaminski concluded. “We need to take home run swings if we are going to win. We need to recognize the role propane plays in providing green energy for all Americans. I am humbled by your faith in me and I look forward to serving all of you and driving home the success this industry needs. Collectively, we can take propane where we need to go. I am excited by what we will accomplish.”

In other news, during meetings held over the three-day event, NPGA staff made presentations about three new tools that have recently been introduced.

: Here, NPGA members can learn about the association’s political action committee (PAC), the candidates it supports, and the reasons it supports them. “We need to make sure our members who are not at these committee meetings can become involved, so we need to take the PAC to them,” Peter Ferrell, director, political and industry affairs, said. “This new tool will help us share the PAC’s goals and why we need these essential personal contributions.” The PropanePAC website is at npga.org/organization/propanepac/.

With this new advocacy tool, NPGA members can inform the association staff about any personal connections they have with legislators. The idea is that when staff wants to meet a legislator, they can ask a member to make an introduction. “If you know folks, let us know; it will help our advocacy efforts to have a greater impact,” Michael Baker, director, legislative affairs, explained. The Congressional Contact Form is available at npga.org/propane-days-365/.

This crowdsourced online tool allows users to view and share the wait times at propane supply points. As this was written, there were more than 400 supply points listed. (See details on p. 33.) PLAN is available through an update to the NPGAction app and online at

— Steve Relyea