Missouri Propane Council Announces 2017 Industry Leadership

(January 31, 2017) — The Missouri Propane Education and Research Council (MOPERC) announced recently the election of several local propane professionals to serve as 2017 Directors and Officers.

The Council recently installed its new leadership at the group’s winter meeting in Ridgedale, Mo. The slate was approved following elections at the MOPERC fall meeting in Jefferson City, Mo., and includes representatives from across the state who serve in various capacities and includes:
• Chair –Eric Kolkmeyer, Energy Transport Solutions, Bates City, Mo.
• Vice Chair—Roger Hoff, Hoff Brothers LP-Gas, Perryville; Mo.
• Treasurer—Luke Fitzpatrick, MFA Oil, Jefferson City, Mo.

Two Directors were reappointed to three-year terms including:
• Roger Hoff, Hoff Brothers LP-Gas, Perryville, Mo.
• Nick Goodrich, Goodrich Gas, Crocker, Mo.
Five incoming Directors were appointed to three-year terms including:
• James Greer, MFA Oil, Columbia, Mo.
• John Brokes, Big River Propane, Hannibal, Mo.
• John Fling, Ferrellgas-GASCO, Eldon, Mo.
• Luke Fitzpatrick, MFA Oil, Jefferson City, Mo.
• Jeff Reitz, Central States Bus, Fenton, Mo.

Outgoing chairman Tom Procter, MFA Oil, Columbia, Mo., and the following outgoing Directors were recognized for their service: Larry Hodson Jr., Big River Oil, Hannibal; Will Brooks, Brooks Gas, Marshfield; Kris Scheperle, All Seasons Landscaping, Lohman; and Tom May, MFA Oil, Columbia, Mo.

MOPERC is a not-for-profit organization authorized by the Missouri legislature to administer a statewide check-off program. Proceeds are used for industry training, consumer safety, appliance rebates and market development programs. The Council is composed of 15 volunteer Directors and is administered by executive staff.
The full Council roster for 2017 is:
John Brokes, Big River Propane, Hannibal; Luke Fitzpatrick, MFA Oil, Jefferson City; John Fling, Ferrellgas-GASCO, Eldon; Nick Goodrich, Goodrich Gas, Crocker; James Greer, MFA Oil, Columba; Roger Hoff, Hoff Brothers, Perryville; Eric Kolkmeyer, Energy Transport Solutions, Wellington; Marty Lerum, Propane Resources, Mission KS; Charlie Neidert, Al’s Gas, Neosho; Derek Poe, Titan Propane, Branson; Mark Porth, CHS, Lawson; Jeff Reitz, Central States Bus, Fenton; Aubrey Salley, Salley’s Propane, Bates City; Randy Warner, Ferrellgas, Liberty; and David Young, GEC, Highland IL. Steve Ahrens, Jefferson City, serves as MOPERC President.

Since its inception, MOPERC has helped thousands of Missouri homeowners replace water heaters, furnaces and other appliances with new, more energy efficient propane models. The Council created a groundbreaking Lawn Equipment Assistance Fund (LEAF) which has helped dozens of Missouri lawn and landscape contractors acquire propane-powered lawn mowers, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and save on operational costs.

According to the U.S. Census, approximately 9% of Missouri’s households use propane for heating, hot water and cooking. Recognized for its environmental benefits, propane is also widely used in agriculture, manufacturing, lawn and landscape, tourism and transportation as a safe and versatile energy source. Propane, called “autogas” around the globe, is the world’s most popular alternative energy.