Women In Propane Profile: WIP Membership Chair Focuses on Connections

Every company needs a Jamie Fargnoli. As office manager of Ehrhart Energy in Trumansburg, N.Y., she is the one her team turns to when they have problems needing to be solved, with an extra touch of customer service.

“I’m the very calm one. I have found the ability to step out of my ego and see what people really need. With customers, you cannot be in your ego — that creates problems. The customer is always right,” Fargnoli said. “Harmony in the workplace is a big thing.”

A part of her success in maintaining her calmness and harmony is meditation. “I meditate every day. It makes me feel grounded. Exercising also helps alleviate stress that may come in the day.

“The escalated calls come to me. People need to be heard. I can hear their concerns, and ensure they feel like they are being heard. I choose to be compassionate toward our customers regardless of how they are choosing to be with me,” she explained. “If you remain calm, you can work people through problems. It is what happens in life — sometimes it’s that last button that gets pushed. You have no idea what that person is going through in their life. It’s not about you at that point, it’s about where they are and what you can do to help them.”

Fargnoli is a relative newbie to the propane industry. She joined Ehrhart Energy three and a half years ago after working for a manufacturer of high-end specialty chains. “It’s a new industry for me, but at the same time, it’s not. I have a knack for jumping right in where I want to go,” she said.

Ehrhart Energy was founded by Gerry Ehrhart in 1946, and is now run by his nephew, Bill Overbaugh, and niece, Tracy Overbaugh Kirkman, who have diversified the company’s offerings from propane and fuel oil to a variety of heating fuels including BioHeat, BioDiesel, wood pellets, and wood bricks. With approximately 40 employees, Ehrhart serves a baseline of more than 8000 customers within a 60-mile radius who are predominately residential, but commercial accounts range from small companies to large manufacturers.

Being able to see something and the challenges, and then rise above to make something successful is her life motto, she said. This motto combined with fate, brought her to Ehrhart Energy.

“I grew up in a family-run business. My parents owned a grocery store, and I’ve also worked in very large corporations. I was at a point in my life I wanted my work to make a contribution to the community, not a corporation,” Fargnoli said. “It has been a fabulous fit. I enjoy and look forward to working with a family-run company—as long it’s not my own family.”

Although Ehrhart Energy is a small company, she said, they do things in a big way. “Everyone really complements one another’s strengths. It’s a wonderful place to be. They were quick to put me in Women in Propane so I would get exposed to see how larger propane companies across the country work.”

Most people just want to feel a connection, she explained. The ability to make connections, whether it is with customers, coworkers, or peers in the industry, is what she is focusing on in her role this year as the membership chair of the National Propane Gas Association’s Women in Propane (WIP) Council.

“What I find very interesting is that it is a very competitive industry, but everyone shares the same goals. They want the best service for their customers, and everyone is working together to achieve it. People are working hard hand-in-hand to help one another and it is a great thing to be a part of.”

As WIP membership chair, her goal is to build and foster great leaders for the industry. “Instead of focusing on the numbers, we’re focusing on the connections—that’s how we’ll grow. When people feel like they’re connecting, it allows them to achieve higher levels for themselves,” Fargnoli said.

“I’m looking forward to coming together with men and women of the industry to reach greater goals for all of us moving forward. I think we all have the capability to make a difference. We all have a legacy to carry on to make the world a better place.”

When she’s not working,  Fargnoli, whose family includes two daughters, two stepsons, and a partner, said she also alleviates stress by tapping into her creative side — food. “I do a vegan diet, and I’m a certified raw chef. I love to bring people together with food.”  — Karen Massman VanAsdale