Women In Propane: Paula Laney Represents One of ‘Last True Original American Business Models’

Paula Laney started with the Oklahoma LP Gas Research, Marketing, & Safety Commission 17 years ago. The organization was created by the Oklahoma Legislature in 1994 to serve the state’s propane industry and its customers in matters of research, marketing, and safety activities. Oklahoma had one of the first state PERCs, and Laney was brought on board in 2000 to help with safety, compliance, and training directives.

You may think that Laney’s career in the industry started there, but she actually grew up as a ‘propane brat’ in her family’s business, Liberty Propane Gas in Oklahoma, which is still in operation. “I remember going with my dad to make deliveries. My job was to chock the tires, and later I would write up meter tickets. My dad had me sit for the state propane licensure test when I was 21 and I still maintain those permits along with my Class B CDL with a Hazmat endorsement. You never know when you might need to deliver some gas, right? I left the propane industry briefly to work in human resources and communications. However, my heart was always with propane, so when my current position came up, I knew it was right for me. It combines my passion for training and development with my love for the propane industry.” 

Laney is a consultant for the commission and hopes for a long-term future in this role. “I love that I never have a typical day. One week I may be doing an NFPA 58 and 54 class for people seeking a state manager’s permit, and the next I’m attending a fleet management conference or alternative fuels event. I attend meetings for all of our propane-related entities [association, commission, and administration], as well as those for the Department of Labor, OUBCC, and Clean Cities. I have been a presenter at conferences for the NFPA, the International Association of Fire Chiefs Hazmat, Oklahoma Fleet Managers, and Green Transportation Summit. We have a mobile training trailer that I take around the state to train employees and plumbers on proper propane installations and system checks. 

“I make it my goal to have my foot in any door where propane is, or should be. My goal is to make sure people know who we are and what propane can do for them—their company, home, fleet, etc. I work to dispel the common misconceptions about the safety of our product—thanks a lot Hollywood! I also take a lot of calls and emails to assist marketers with safety and compliance. I think of myself as a safety consultant for all Oklahoma propane marketers.” 

When asked what she likes best about her job, Laney is quick to cite the people. “No doubt! Propane folks are great people that care about their business, family, and community. A propane business is truly one of the last true original American business models. How many things did our grandparents have delivered to their door? Milk, ice, newspapers….door-to-door salesmen had all kinds of handy household items for sale. Nowadays very few business models involve a genuine face-to-face relationship with the customer. From large multi-state to small marketers, the personal connection between delivery driver and customer is the same. That’s rare in any other industry. I am honored to work with and serve these business owners and their employees.”

As far as the biggest challenges Laney sees in her role, but also for the industry, it’s keeping up with the ever-changing codes and regulations that propane marketers must adhere to. “Thank goodness for the wonderful people at NPGA and PERC that help us stay on top of all of it! I do not know how I would have kept my sanity all these years without [NPGA’s] Mike Caldarera and [PERC’s] Stuart Flatow.”

Laney is very involved in the industry as a way of giving back. She is a member of PERC’s Safety and Training Work Group, which she calls ‘the cool kids.’ “I enjoy helping develop quality, accessible, and relevant safety and training materials that benefit our industry. Members from all over the country and all sizes of businesses come together to work on these projects. We put aside competition and personal gain. Everyone is part of the same team with a common goal of improving our industry. I love those people!”

She credits her dedication and work ethic to her parents and those formative experiences at the family company, but as in any family business, family comes first. “My parents raised a workaholic, but I also cherish time with my family. Our weekends are a blur of soccer games, dance rehearsals, and other activities, but I know one day I’ll miss that, so I try to enjoy every day. We love going to the lake, riding RZRs, and travel.” 

It’s clear that this ‘Oklahoma Gas Chick’ (that’s her email address!) is in the industry for the long haul.