People
PGANE President & CEO on Why Women in Propane Are Here to Stay
After a lifelong career in the energy industry, Leslie Anderson is no longer the only female at the table
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Industry Insider
The Tricks of the Trade: Stay Focused, Compete Fairly and Manage Wisely
Karen Dixon on taking the reins as the third-generation owner of Globe Propane -
Kim Furphy Understands HR is ‘Not Just the Warm and Fuzzy’
With degrees in accounting and information technology, Kim Furphy began her career in the membership services department at Prodigy Communications. She quickly transitioned into the human resources (HR) department primarily because “they thought I was good on the phones, and I might be able to handle the customer service.” It was a life-altering move. Today, Furphy is director of HR at Paraco Gas Corporation headquartered in Rye Brook, New York, where she handles human resources for approximately 400 employees across five states. “Once you get into human resources, you realize all of the various pieces and components, laws and compliance issues, and the things you need to do to look out for people,” she said. “Then you kind of go — all right, maybe it... -
People
Women In Propane: WINLPG Winner Knew An Energy Career Was In Her Future
Marcela Rosado Orellana knew as a teenager she wanted a career in the oil and gas industry. -
People
Women In Propane: Career In Energy Industry Has Come Full Circle
“Own your own life. Don’t let anyone tell you you can’t.” -
Equipment
Tidewater Energy Reports Propane Generator Sales Ballooning
This year, Tidewater Energy, a family-owned propane company serving primarily rural customers in eastern North Carolina, has seen explosive growth in the sales of propane generators thanks to an innovative marketing program with Kohler. The program uses an online platform and its accompanying marketing services, PowerChord, and has helped increase Tidewater’s sales leads 80% in all of its seven offices. Annually, Tidewater typically sells only a handful of propane generators, although it installs and services generators purchased from other providers and big-box retailers such as Home Depot and Lowe’s. “Our main business is propane,” said Wendell Whitman, manager of Tidewater Energy—La Grande. “What was happening, we ended up doing a lot of service work on generators. So it became obvious to us we probably ought... -
People
Women In Propane: Passion For Trucks Leads To Career In Transportation
Angela Branchi’s passion for trucks has guided her from early days at Cal Gas Transportation to her current role as senior vice president of the NGL division at Grammer Logistics. From her home base in Wilmington, N.C., Branchi helps navigate the transportation company’s operations and growth strategy after last year’s acquisition of her previous company, Sterling Transport Co. At 22, she took a job as a transportation clerk in Cheyenne, Wyo., at Cal Gas Transportation, which later became AmeriGas. “I never had any intentions of getting into the trucking industry, but I answered an ad and evidently found my passion,” she said. For the next 20 years, Branchi navigated her way through various roles at AmeriGas, eventually managing the Northeast after spending years managing Western... -
People
Women In Propane: Finding Passion In Propane After 20 Years In Oil, Gas
In her 20-plus years in the oil and gas industry, Leanne Mazoch has worked in the crude oil, refined products, natural gas, power, natural gas liquids, sulphur, and propylene sectors—but she found her passion in propane. Last year, Mazoch joined Ray Energy as vice president of supply after 14 years with BP Energy and nine years prior with Unocal. “These guys know propane, so I get to learn more about the downstream from them, and also mentor about the upstream,” Mazoch said of her role at Ray Energy. “This was a big change because of the difference in size, but also because of the focus. When I worked at BP, Ray Energy was a customer, and I was impressed with their growth. I think I... -
Feature Articles
Success As General Manager Started With A Career In Cosmetology
A career in cosmetology is not the traditional route to becoming a general manager of two propane companies overseeing five offices, but it has proven be successful for Melissa Reynolds of Trace Propane Gas and Rogers Propane Gas located in Mississippi, Tennessee, and Alabama. “The customer service you offer in cosmetology is the same customer service you offer in propane,” Reynolds said. “You still have to put that same smile on your face and joy in your heart.” After owning her own beauty salon, Reynolds became a manager and then a supervisor for Regis Salons. With three young children, she began looking for a position with less travel and fewer weekend hours. “My cousin contacted me about a position that was open at the local... -
People
Women In Propane: Passion For Engineering, Making Drivers’ Jobs Easier
As a design engineer at Westmor Industries (Morris, Minn.), Meranda Hormann is passionate about making the delivery of propane easier for drivers. At age 28, Hormann has already spent more than 10 years in the propane industry and was selected this year as a charter member of the Young Gassers’ 30 Under 30 program. Created by the International Association of Young Gassers in conjunction with the National Propane Gas Association (NPGA) and the Canadian Propane Association (CPA), the 30 Under 30 program invests in, engages, and encourages young professionals working in the propane gas industry. It was her younger sister, Steph Hennen, manager of marketing and customer service for Lakes Gas in Wyoming, Minn., who encouraged Hormann to join the Young Gassers. The propane industry...
