Author

BPN Staff

Compiled by BPN Staff

 

  • People

    Propane People “In The News”

    ADD Systems (Flanders, N.J.) has promoted Regina Balistreri to director of marketing . She joined ADD Systems in 1990 as a technical writer and then moved to the sales department as the West Coast sales representative in 1992. She left the firm in 1997 to further her education, and went on to work for Intel as a senior financial analyst. Balistreri returned to ADD Systems in 2015 as the project manager of ADD Systems’ enhanced marketing effort, taking responsibility for overseeing the development of the company’s new website and the creation of numerous marketing materials, including videos, white papers, and industry-focused webinars. Angus Monitoring Service LLC has named David Montgomery as its customer relationship manager . He will support Gremlin tank monitor clients in the...

    Read More →

  • Training

    Hands-On Autogas Technician Training Customized for Iowa Techs

    You shouldn’t have to drive 100 miles to service an autogas vehicle. That being compulsory, it follows that few would adopt propane as an alternative fleet fuel. But the industry and its fellow stakeholders endeavor to eliminate market barriers and facilitate switching to autogas. Toward that end, nearly 20 automotive technicians received hands-on and classroom instruction under the sponsorship of the Iowa Propane Education & Research Council (IPERC) and the national PERC in mid-June at Iowa Central Community College in Fort Dodge. The curriculum, developed by the West Virginia University-based National Alternative Fuels Training Consortium (NAFTC), with financial support from the national PERC, bolsters efforts around the country to train next-generation technicians to maintain and repair autogas-fueled vehicles, thereby supporting the over-the-road propane segment, a...

    Read More →

  • Marketing

    PERC “Can-Do” Conference To Focus On Marketing Strategies and Tactics To Grow Gallons Most Effectively

    (July 27, 2018) — In just two short days, the Propane Education and Research Council’s (PERC) “Can-Do” Conference will bring propane industry professionals together with marketing experts for two days of presentations on fresh thinking, innovation, new strategies and tactics, and more, all designed to help increase digital outreach, propane sales, and take marketing efforts to new heights. 
 “As retailers are making their marketing plans to promote their companies, I would suggest that they join us in July for the Can-Do Conference,” said Gregg Walker, director of communications at PERC. “There, they will be able to learn from experts how to make connections with current and prospective customers.

“This is our first such conference,” he added. “It was developed in response to increased demand for...

    Read More →

  • Training

    FREE Propane Autogas Technician Training and Customized On-Site Training Opportunities Available

    A free, Propane Autogas Vehicle Technician Training course is being held for professional automotive technicians currently working in the automotive repair industry who want to enhance their skills and learn more about working with propane autogas vehicles. It also is for Fleet Managers, Secondary Education, and Post-Secondary Education. The three-day course will be held July 31 to Aug. 2, 2018, at the Universal Technical Institute in Irving, Texas. The National Alternative Fuels Training Consortium (NAFTC) in conjunction with the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) has partnered to coordinate the Propane Autogas Vehicle Technician Training Courses. Recognizing a need for qualified technicians to adapt, service, and maintain these vehicles, the comprehensive course covers topics including propane characteristics, fuel systems, vehicle compatibility, system components, and safety....

    Read More →

  • Feature Articles

    Paraco Gas Marks 50th Anniversary In Business

    This year marks the 50th anniversary for Paraco Gas, now based in Rye Brook, N.Y. The organization takes immense pride in having reached this significant milestone, crediting its success to its current and former employees, along with all its valued and long-standing customers. Pat Armentano founded the firm Patsems, a welding and industrial gas supplier, in Mount Vernon, N.Y. in 1968. The youngest of 10 children, he was known as generous, kind, and extremely personable. His success in business was in part due to his ability to connect with people and bring out the best from all of those who worked with him. Despite lacking a formal higher education, he was a natural and talented entrepreneur and continued to grow his company throughout the 1970s....

    Read More →

  • Feature Articles

    31st World LPG Forum Coming to Houston October 2018

    The 31st World LPG Forum, the premier annual global event for the LPG industry, returns to the U.S. this year. Houston will host the forum, which combines a conference and exhibition, Oct. 2-4, 2018 at the Hilton Americas. The event immediately follows the Sept. 30-Oct. 2 National Propane Gas Association (NPGA) Board of Directors meeting, which is also being held in Houston. Organized by the World LPG Association, the World LPG Forum travels the globe annually and features high-level session discussions with an international exhibition, as well as social events and networking opportunities. NPGA members can take advantage of a special discounted registration rate. For information, contact Kristen White at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it....

    Read More →

  • Feature Articles

    Crestwood Expands Its Rose Hill, Davisville And Montgomery Rail Terminals To Ensure Winter Capacity

    Kansas City, MO (July 17, 2018) – The Kansas City, Missouri-based office of Crestwood Midstream’s Marketing Supply & Logistics (MSL) Group has completed expansions at its Rose Hill, North Carolina and Montgomery, New York rail terminals, and has upgrades underway at its Davisville, Rhode Island terminal. The Rose Hill terminal, which opened in early 2015, provides propane marketers across North Carolina with much-needed reliability. Crestwood has completed an expansion at Rose Hill and will soon offer 24/7 load times to optimize daily transportation. Crestwood’s Montgomery terminal, believed to be the largest propane terminal in the United States, opened in the summer of 2017 to serve marketers across the Northeast. The 20-acre facility – which is served by the Middletown and New Jersey railroads – can...

    Read More →

  • Feature Articles

    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...

    Read More →

  • Feature Articles

    ThompsonGas Acquires ER Energy; Purchase Marks 3rd This Year

    ThompsonGas LLC (Frederick, Md.) has announced the acquisition of ER Energy Inc., a propane provider that has served Northern California for more than 30 years. ER Energy has operations in Nevada and Washington. Details regarding the transaction were not released. The purchase marks the third acquisition for ThompsonGas in 2018. “We’ve known Ken Foster and ER Energy for several years and have great respect for this team and their accomplishments,” said Jeff Kerns, ThompsonGas CEO. “Ken’s family-oriented approach to his business is a perfect complement to the same principles that drive Thompson- Gas’ daily business—trust and service. We intend to continue serving ER Energy’s customers in the same manner.” “My company, ER Energy, is a propane distributor with multiple locations across the Pacific Northwest,” added...

    Read More →

  • People

    NPGA Women in Propane Council Now A National Chapter of WINLPG

    Washington, D.C., July 12, 2018 – Women in Propane (WIP) Council has signed an agreement to become an official National Chapter of the Women in LPG (WINLPG), a global network managed by the World LPG Association (WLPGA). With fully-supportive and compatible missions, the two organizations are pleased to announce this step in their already-close affiliation. WINLPG supports and helps empower women in the industry by providing leadership, coaching, mentoring, and role models to enable a change in organizational attitude to become more inclusive for all genders at all levels. As a National Chapter of WINLPG, Women in Propane agrees to support WINLPG’s three pillars of objectives: 1. Support and retain women in the industry via a unique global network 2. Promotion and advocacy via role...

    Read More →