This year marked a special move for the industry with the inaugural Young Professional of the Year award, recognizing individuals 40 and under who are making an impact on propane through their leadership, engagement and achievement. Ahead, meet the first-ever Young Professional of the Year award winner, as well as the four finalists, as we recognize their accomplishments and celebrate what younger generations are bringing to the industry.
When Barrett Conway joined the Cetane Associates team in 2019, no one could predict what would come over the following years, like the COVID-19 pandemic, major shifts in political leadership and rapidly evolving energy policies. Amid this unpredictability, Conway purchased Cetane Associates from Steve Abbate in 2022, and considering Conway’s career accomplishments and the fresh perspective he brings to the propane industry, that’s a move that made sense in a world of uncertainty.
“It was a major milestone for me — both emotionally and financially,” said Conway. “What makes it even more meaningful is that the entire team remained in place, and we’ve grown significantly from 10 people in 2022 to nearly 25 by mid-2025. Supporting such a talented team and helping our clients navigate some of the most important transitions in their lives has been incredibly rewarding.”
One of the projects Conway has implemented at Cetane’s helm is a partnership with the Safe House Project to develop a training program specifically designed for service professionals to help identify and respond to signs of human trafficking.
“Since these professionals often enter homes and businesses, they’re in a unique position to spot potential red flags,” Conway said. “The program features educational videos that highlight key indicators — such as unusual behaviors, physical signs and environmental cues — paired with real-world scenarios and expert guidance. Participants can earn a certification by completing the training and passing a brief quiz. It’s a powerful way to equip our industry with tools to make a real impact beyond business.”
Conway has shown his commitment to taking care of the people of the industry — and beyond. It is clear through Conway’s words and actions that he is passionate about being instrumental in propane’s bright future, from shepherding clients through major transitional periods to being, in his words, “a champion for young people not only to succeed but to thrive in this field.”
“I believe younger generations are playing a key role in driving innovation within the propane industry — particularly when it comes to adopting and implementing new technologies,” he continued. “There’s a growing openness to modern tools and digital solutions, and much of that momentum is being led by younger professionals who are bringing fresh perspectives and a willingness to challenge the status quo. It’s helping the industry evolve in ways that make us more efficient, connected and future-ready.”
In that regard, Conway is looking to a proactive future for the industry to push forward beneficial initiatives for propane in the wake of the recent positive momentum at the federal and legislative level. Conway sees this shift away from the propane industry’s reactionary defense mode of the past five years as an opportunity to advocate for growth and build a more resilient future.
It’s no wonder Conway fit right into the role of this year’s award winner.
“I’m incredibly honored to be named the inaugural Young Professional of the Year. It’s truly humbling to be recognized by my peers in the propane industry — people I deeply respect and admire. This award is a reflection of the support I’ve received from my wife, mentors, colleagues and the entire Cetane Associates team, and I’m grateful to be part of such a dedicated and forward-thinking industry.”
And Conway isn’t anywhere near done. With goals to continue growing both the brand and the team at Cetane Associates in the next five to 10 years, he’s in it for the long haul, alongside his peers, to position the industry for long-term success.
“What motivates me is the desire to leave a lasting positive impact on the world. I’ve been fortunate to be given a great opportunity at a young age, and with that comes a strong sense of responsibility and excitement. Leading Cetane Associates through new challenges and opportunities is what drives me every day. The potential to make a meaningful difference — both for our team and for the clients we serve — is what keeps me energized and focused.”
As the first person to receive the Young Professional of the Year award, where Conway goes from here will be exciting to watch as he contributes to a promising future for propane.
If there’s one thing the propane industry can commend itself for — and there are many — it’s the community it has built over the decades. That’s what drew Joe Figueroa, vice president of mergers and acquisitions at Ferrellgas, to both the company and to propane. Ferrellgas’ strong culture of community, as Figueroa puts it, was immediately evident and reinforced the value he sees in the industry.
Since then, building community and advocating for the industry has been a major focus of Figueroa’s career in propane. Figueroa entered the industry in 2020 at a time when human connection became more difficult with the challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic.
“One of my favorite memories is from when I first started with Ferrellgas, when COVID shut down the world,” Figueroa recalled. “I remember waking up one morning after starting to work from home to dozens of emails from employees I did not know. They were all checking in and offering support. At that moment, I knew this would be a place [and] industry I would work in for a long time.”
Figueroa’s first role at Ferrellgas was to build a development program that provided mentorship to new employees going into frontline management. That focus on the talent pipeline remains important to him today. “I believe it is important to educate those who wouldn’t normally consider propane as a potential career. There are so many benefits to working in our industry,” he said. “There needs to be a continued focus on facilitating efforts to drive generational engagement at different levels. Only then can we sustain the amount of momentum we have right now.”
It’s no wonder Figueroa became one of the finalists for Young Professional of the Year. He said standing next to his fellow finalists highlighted the industry’s strength and how bright the future looks.
“It is vital to the sustainability of our industry that young professionals are engaged and invested in the future. There is so much tenure and knowledge in propane. In order to continue to grow, younger employees must learn from those tenured individuals and look for opportunities to contribute wherever and whenever they can,” said Figueroa.
He added, “Seeing someone spend 20 to 30 years in one place because they love what they do is incredibly special. My advice is to come into our industry and learn.”
As the workforce continues to evolve, people like Figueroa have the opportunity to bridge generational gaps and foster shifting norms and ideals. Figueroa noted that at times, despite the sense of community, the propane industry can still seem fragmented. He sees the potential to fix that: “We are peers with a common goal of seeing the industry continue to move forward.”
With people like Figueroa and his peers leading the charge, that forward momentum does look bright indeed.
“Propane runs through our veins.” That’s how Allison Platz-Velazquez describes her family’s connection to the propane industry. Platz-Velazquez works as the director of sales and marketing at Delta Liquid Energy (DLE), a company started by her great-grandparents.
But even before working full time for the company, she was actively involved in the industry, from attending trade shows to assisting around the office as a teenager. While some may become disillusioned with their parents’ work, Platz-Velazquez has only good things to say about her experience.
“I truly feel like the veterans of our industry want to see younger professionals succeed because that’s how our industry will succeed,” said Platz-Velazquez. “I’ve been met with nothing but positive advice, coaching and encouragement.”
Encouragement is a word that seems to encapsulate the spirit of so many in an industry filled with hardworking families seeking to enrich the lives of those around them. For her own part, Platz-Velazquez has boosted DLE’s involvement in charity.
“I think my biggest, and certainly my favorite, accomplishment has been the growth of DLE’s philanthropic efforts,” said Platz-Velazquez. “I started our annual Donation Drive that takes place each December. We collect toys and non-perishable food items for the communities we service. We’ve partnered with local food banks and branches of the Salvation Army to ensure the donations are given straight back to the local communities. I also assist with our annual contributions to the 4H and [Future Farmers of America] students on the central coast.”
In addition to growing roots in the community, Platz-Velazquez looks for ways DLE can expand its markets and grow its business, a skill she credits to her father.
“I’d really like to be a part of growing California and DLE’s year-round gallons,” said Platz-Velazquez. “I would love to see gallons in California expand into new markets like combined heat and power. The instability and expensiveness of our electric grid give us a prime opportunity to tell propane’s reliability story.”
For Platz-Velazquez, the future of propane is bright and the opportunity for growth is ripe. All it takes to capitalize on that potential is a concerted effort to invest in the future, including the young professionals already making a difference.
“Being invested in the future of our industry is an extension of being invested in ourselves,” she said. “Current young professionals will eventually be the leaders of the industry as our more experienced generations move on and/or retire. Now is the time to get involved and learn from those who have paved the way while also sharing our ideas for innovation. The only way our industry continues for our children’s and grandchildren’s generations is if those of us with new ideas and fresh passion get involved and share our voices.”
The paths are wide and many that lead young professionals to pursue a career in propane. For Garrett Sager, owner of Henley Propane, the invitation to join the industry came from his father-in-law, who, like so many, owned and operated his own family propane business. Prior to joining him as a business partner and successor to the company, Sager worked in a field that at first glance seems to have little in common with propane: healthcare. It was during his time in healthcare, however, that Sager honed a strong willingness to explore new ways of doing things.
“Speaking from my own experience, when I joined our business, I saw opportunities to modernize and streamline many aspects of our operations,” said Sager. “I implemented updated technologies, enhanced our software capabilities, invested in more advanced equipment and placed a strong focus on digital presence.”
Sager’s keen eye for the latest trends in technology and his eagerness to innovate point to the importance of upcoming generations’ involvement in the propane industry. Younger professionals are tasked with upholding and building on the legacy of those who made the industry what it is now — something that resonates with Sager.
“It’s incredibly important for young professionals to be invested in the future of the propane industry because we are the ones who will carry it forward,” said Sager. “For me, that starts with advocacy and education. Many people don’t even realize the scale or importance of our industry. I believe in raising awareness about the role propane plays in energy, safety and sustainability.”
Sager is a prime example of how younger generations are apt to understand and meet the concerns of an evolving base of customers who are increasingly frustrated with the cost of living and environmental neglect. Sager cares about the larger picture: Success for the propane industry means shifting public perception. For Sager, this task is all about education.
“I believe we need to do a better job of showing consumers that propane is not only a reliable and efficient energy source, but a cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternative to electricity.”
While Sager focuses on the future, he is also in tune with the ways past leadership has laid the foundation and support for upcoming generations. When reflecting on his greatest mentors, he credited his father-in-law and grandfather-in-law, both previous Henley Propane owners. According to Sager, any successful innovation must always strike the balance between trying something new and retaining the wisdom of the past.
“I’ve focused on modernizing parts of our business while also reinforcing old-school traditions,” said Sager. “It’s a balance I’ve come to really appreciate. … It’s not just about change for the sake of change; it’s about building a strong foundation and positioning the business for long-term growth in a digital-first world.”
One of the benefits of working in the propane industry is the sense of fulfillment and accomplishment that comes from providing the fuel that keeps customers warm whenever and wherever they need it. Curtis Sobottka feels that every day in his role as customer service manager at Ferrellgas and takes pride working in an industry that helps others and provides a professional challenge for his career goals.
That’s why he left communications after 10 years in the field. He wanted something more challenging, and his role with Ferrellgas has provided that ever since. Now he uses his position to encourage others through effective team management.
He sees one of his biggest contributions as “being able to shape my coaching style to how people want to be coached. Someone that people on my team can look up to and work for because they know they have someone that will fight for them each day.” His long-term goal is to remain an effective leader at Ferrellgas and build relationships with the Government Affairs Committee for the Minnesota Propane Association, which Sobottka also works with.
Sobottka’s commitment to being a leader and participating in the larger goals of the propane industry speaks to why he was named a Young Professional of the Year finalist. And he has a vision in mind for his cohort of young professionals in the industry: “We are the future of this industry. We need young professionals to drive the industry down the right path. Our future depends on those young professionals to ensure propane always remains a necessary product for millions of people. I would ask all young professionals to get involved. ... The more involvement you have and you promote it, the more invested and dedicated you become to the industry.”
Sobottka also recognizes where younger generations have the opportunity to take propane into new and growing territories. “Millennials and Gen Z prioritize safety protocols and environmentally friendly practices. They are advocating for cleaner fuels, renewable energy integration and sustainable operations, leading to a shift toward greener propane solutions and more rigorous safety standards. These generations seek meaningful work that aligns with their values. They are motivated by roles that contribute to community well-being, energy resilience and environmental stewardship, influencing companies to emphasize corporate social responsibility and community engagement.”
As future generations fill in the spaces left by retirees, the propane industry will continue to evolve with new technologies, regulations and best practices. Sobottka urges new generations to “stay curious and committed to ongoing education. Also, building trust and maintaining good relationships with clients is essential. Provide reliable, respectful service and communicate clearly.”
What’s clear is that Sobottka will push the industry forward for years to come.
