People in the News

Allison Platz has been hired as an assistant for Arro Autogas, the propane autogas division of Delta Liquid Energy (Paso Robles, Calif.). Platz is the great-granddaughter of the late Harry and Iva Platz, Delta Liquid Energy co-founders, and is the first fourth-generation family member to join the company.

Elizabeth (Beth) Autore and Michelle Roe have joined Energy Distribution Partners (EDP; Chicago). Autore will serve as general manager for Autore Oil and Propane in Cedarville, Mich., and Roe joins as general manager for Shute Oil & Propane. Autore Oil and Propane and Shute Oil & Propane recently merged with EDP and retained their names, local management, and community relationships. Autore’s parents started Autore Oil and Propane in 1955, and she has served as general manager for the past 15 years. Roe has been with Shute Oil & Propane since 1989 and has been general manager since May 2016.

Ryan Dutcher has been named senior manager for social and digital media for the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC). He most recently worked as senior communications manager and chief digital strategist for the American Chamber of Commerce in the People’s Republic of China (Beijing).

The North Carolina Propane Gas Association (NCPGA) elected new officers and directors at its annual meeting in September. Jeff Wade, Rand Wade Oil Co. (Snow Hill), will serve as chairman; Jeff Ruffner, Energy United Propane (Statesville), chairman-elect; Billy Foust, Foust Fuel Inc. (Mebane), vice chairman; Joe Phillips, Creedmoor Fuel Service Inc. (Creedmoor), secretary; and Scott Prewitt, Blossman Gas (Swannanoa), treasurer. Cyndi Kibler, Professional Propane Services LLC (Wake Forest), is immediate past chair.

District directors include Brian Yow, Central Gas & Appliance Inc. (Asheboro); Ben Lisk, South Central Oil Co. (Albemarle); David Boyd, Payne Oil Co. (Graham); Jay Little, BJ Williamson Gas (Clinton); Alex Jernigan, Parker Gas Co. (Smithfield); Buddy Swain, Crossroads Fuel Service (Columbia); and Jamie Stokes, Tidewater Energy Propane (Washington).

During the meeting, John Jessup of NCPGA was honored with the 2016 chairman’s award. J.C. Burnette of Gardner Marsh was named 2016 Supplier of the Year; and Scott Prewitt of Blossman Gas was named 2016 Dealer of the Year.