The Young Professional of the Year Finalists Making Waves in 2026

The Young Professional of the Year Award recognizes individuals 40 and under who demonstrate leadership, engagement and achievement in the industry. In the pages ahead, meet the 2026 Young Professional of the Year, as well as her fellow finalists, and learn how they exemplify these traits in their careers as they lead the industry into its next chapter.

The 2026 Young Professional of the Year Kirsten McAlpin, Director of Marketing & Public Relations, Conger LP Gas Inc.

Everyone has their unique story of how they started a career in propane, but how many can say they went from the country music industry to a marketing role at a propane company? That’s Kirsten McAlpin’s journey, from a country music and radio career, where she endorsed

on her radio show, to the director of marketing and public relations for the company. After making videos and conducting interviews with Conger LP Gas President Dan Richardson, she joined the marketing team in 2018 and the rest is history.

You may have heard Kirsten’s name in several scenarios, including the Women in Propane Council, the Southeast Propane Alliance and, of course, being named the 2026 Young Professional of the Year. Standing on stage with her fellow finalists, Kirsten was recognized for this honor at the 2026 National Propane Gas Association’s Southeastern & International Propane Expo. Speaking on the experience, Kirsten was quick to bolster the accomplishments of her fellow finalists — a sign of the care and importance she places on her industry peers.

“It is truly an honor not only to have been named a finalist but to receive the 2026 Young Professional of the Year Award,” she said. “I was genuinely blown away by the accomplishments of the other finalists. … Alex, Amanda, Andrew and Krysta, it was such an honor to stand alongside you at the ceremony. I have so much respect for each of you and the incredible work you’re doing, and I’m proud to be part of our industry with professionals like you.”

Kirsten’s experience at the award ceremony drove home the importance of investing in young professionals as a generation of industry members heads into retirement.

“It really hit me when we were standing there at the awards ceremony watching Nancy Coop receive the [first] Women in Propane Nancy Coop Leadership Award. It made me realize that we — my fellow nominees and all the younger professionals in the propane industry — are up next to fill all the amazing shoes of those who have paved the way. We are the next generation of propane professionals who will one day be looked to for guidance. What we do now and how we lead will directly shape what comes next.

“For me, encouraging my peers starts with leading by example,” she continued. “I will stay actively involved, share my ideas and support industry initiatives. I also believe in telling the propane story well and showing others that this industry has strong communities, meaningful careers and real impact.”

Kirsten’s proud of the events she’s planned with Conger LP Gas, like their Hometown Heroes Kids Events (a back-to-school tradition at the Tifton, Georgia, home office where kids explore vehicles, equipment and gear up close) and company grand openings. But she’s particularly proud of what she gets to bring to her role in everyday situations, including sharing a customer’s positive experience, highlighting the work of Conger’s employees and standing at chamber of commerce ribbon cutting ceremonies to represent the company.

Her marketing efforts for both Conger LP Gas and industry groups like the Women in Propane Council demonstrate her commitment to telling propane’s story. She sees her biggest contribution to the industry as helping to shape how companies view marketing and their overall performance. Kirsten consistently hears positive feedback on how she shares Conger LP Gas’ story through advertising and online presence — driving home the fact that telling your company’s story can elevate your presence and connection with community and customers.

Kirsten hopes to see that spirit of storytelling become the norm in the propane world, to show how individuals are contributing to the industry’s future.

“From the service technicians and drivers to the customer service representatives and office staff, each person adds so much value, and they all have a story that is worth telling,” she said. “I think if people truly understood all the potential roles out there, from service to operations, finance, marketing and beyond, it would create more trust and a stronger future for the industry.”

2026 Young Professional of the Year Finalist Amanda Bohm Rodicio, Manager, Sunrise Propane

Growing up in a family-owned propane company gave Amanda Bohm Rodicio an early introduction to the industry, but her passion for propane truly developed in college. Amanda, now manager at

, entered the industry in 2021 while completing the full-time work experience requirement for her college major. With both her grandfather (the company’s founder) and her father deeply involved in the business, propane has long been part of her life.

As a younger leader in the industry, Amanda said she quickly learned the importance of earning trust through hands-on experience. Rather than stepping directly into management from behind a desk, she spent time shadowing drivers, tank setters, gas pipers and sales staff to better understand the business.

“I found that the best way to do that was by being hands-on, asking questions and learning every aspect of the business from the ground up,” she said. “That hands-on experience was crucial in shaping how I approach leadership.”

One of the accomplishments Amanda is most proud of is earning her Master Qualifier Gas License. At just 19 years old, she achieved her Category 1 601 Qualifier License, the highest level available in Florida for someone under 21.

“Reaching that milestone so early in my career was incredibly meaningful to me, as it reflected both my commitment to learning and my dedication to the industry,” she said.

Looking ahead, Amanda hopes to continue expanding Sunrise Propane while also helping educate communities about propane’s reliability, efficiency and identity as a clean energy solution. She sees strong opportunities for growth through both innovation and education.

“I believe there is a real opportunity to bridge the gap between perception and reality when it comes to propane.”

To Amanda, the future of the propane industry depends on young professionals staying engaged, continuing to learn and bringing new ideas to the table while building on the foundation established by previous generations.

“There is a tremendous amount of knowledge and experience in this industry, and when you combine that with the innovation and energy of younger professionals, it creates real opportunity for growth,” she said.

2026 Young Professional of the Year Finalist Andrew Vogl, Director of National Accounts, Ray Murray Inc.

Andrew Vogl began his career at Morgan Stanley before the culture of the propane industry led him to

It’s a story that tracks with so many young professionals in this industry: Propane puts people first. For Andrew, this is evident in everything from the culture at Ray Murray Inc., where he serves as the director of national accounts, to industry events.

“One of my favorite memories has been attending industry events and seeing firsthand how strong and connected this community is,” said Andrew. “Being able to step away from day-to-day business and connect with people across different companies, regions and roles has been extremely rewarding.”

This people-first culture drives much of Andrew’s goals in his career, as well as his track record of advocating for the propane industry on a large scale. In addition to growing and strengthening Ray Murray’s national partnerships, Andrew serves as chairman of PropanePAC, a political action arm of NPGA, and previously served as treasurer for the New York Propane Gas Association.

“I’m proud of the momentum [PropanePAC has] built — expanding engagement, increasing participation and hitting key fundraising milestones that strengthen the industry’s voice at both the state and national levels,” said Andrew. “Helping grow awareness around the importance of advocacy and getting more professionals involved has been especially meaningful.”

To Andrew, a big part of industry involvment is putting in the time and effort to understand it.

“My advice [to someone entering the industry] would be to take the time to truly understand the business and how the industry operates,” he said. “Learn the fundamentals, stay curious and build a strong base of knowledge early on. Be willing to put in the work, ask questions and stay consistent in how you show up every day. This industry rewards those who are reliable, proactive and willing to keep improving.”

2026 Young Professional of the Year Finalist Krysta Wanner, Director of Government Affairs, Western Propane Gas Association

Krysta Wanner was on track for a major in food science when an opportunity came knocking in the form of an open position at the Western Propane Gas Association (

). She never thought a former job at a local propane company the summer before college would become relevant to her professional career.

Now the director of government affairs for WPGA, Krysta develops relationships with state policymakers and advances propane causes through government advocacy. Her experience as a young professional in propane has been marked by respect and exciting opportunities.

“Throughout my career, I have gotten used to being the youngest person and often the only woman in the room,” she said. “The difference working as a young person in the propane industry is that I am much more respected than I was in government work. My members … respect my experience in policymaking and treat me as an equal.”

Krysta is heavily involved with NPGA’s Young Professionals Council (YPC) and was a key player in building the Young Professional of the Year Award program.

“Having built the program for this award during YPC’s inaugural year, I also feel really proud to see it continue on with collaboration from Women in Propane,” she said.

Krysta will continue to play a key role in the YPC going forward as the 2026 YPC chair. For Krysta, serving her members is always at the center of her achievements.

“I try to keep in mind the importance of my role within the association and the people whose livelihoods I am fighting to protect,” she said.

Part of that fight is Krysta’s work in promoting energy choice, both in California where WPGA is based and across the country. It is about “putting the power in the hands of the people to decide what best suits their needs.”

“My job is not to force legislators to promote propane above all else,” Krysta said, “but to educate them on how propane is a clean, affordable and reliable fuel choice that deserves to be a part of the conversation on energy solutions.”

2026 Young Professional of the Year Finalist Alex Young, Marketing Manager, Heating & Cooking Products, Worthington Enterprises

If you had asked Alex Young at 20 years old if she would be working in propane, she would have laughed. With a degree in broadcast news under her belt, Alex began working for a local TV station in her hometown of Columbus, Ohio. Though she loved it, work-life balance was difficult, so she decided to shift gears and join

.

“I started in the corporate communications department and worked part time with the cylinder business,” she said. “I eventually moved into a full-time role supporting the industrial cylinders business. What really drew me in was the propane group itself — the camaraderie, the energy and how people show up for each other. It has been a fun ride so far.”

Alex’s proudest achievement is how she has transformed Worthington’s approach to marketing — shifting her role from reactive support to a strategic partner for sales and leadership. She has also supported product, technology and brand launches and championed involvement in Women in Propane, the Young Professionals Council, and state and regional associations.

Additionally, Alex encourages other young professionals to “take advantage of growth opportunities within the propane industry while staying approachable and supportive.” This includes stepping outside of comfort zones and getting involved, a mindset that helped Alex build new relationships and strengthen existing ones herself. This is of utmost importance as younger generations step into leadership roles and move the needle on the industry’s future.

“It is important to give young professionals a sense of ownership in where the industry is headed,” she said. “When they are actively involved, it not only supports their development, but also brings fresh thinking that helps keep the industry … moving forward.”

On her nomination, she said, “This nomination is such an honor, and it speaks to the incredible talent coming up through the ranks in this industry. I am grateful to be part of that next generation and excited for what is ahead.”