Friday, October 11, 2019
(October 11, 2019) — Anova (Providence, N.J.) has appointed industry veteran, William Kroll, as its first advisor to support the company through a period of extensive expansion. In April, Anova became the new name for DataOnline, WESROC, Wikon, and iTank, and most recently joined forces with Portugal-based Intelligent Sensing Anywhere (ISA). Kroll, who has more than 40 years of experience, spent more than half of his career with Matheson, most recently as chairman and CEO. He has a wealth of knowledge and expertise spanning nearly every facet of business. During his years with Matheson, he focused on the strategic direction and growth of the company, particularly the development of its activities in the electronics market sector. More recently, he focused on the growth of the company implemented corporate culture changes that drove organic expansion. As a key advisor to Anova’s executive leadership team, Kroll will add a valuable perspective to enable the company to meet current and future market demands. Skotty Morris of Monte Vista Co-op (Monte Vista) was recently sworn in as president of the Colorado Propane Gas Association. Serving with Morris for the 2019-2020 term are Ray Martin of High Plains LP Services (Trinidad), vice president; Cathy Buxton, Wallace Gas & Oil (Lamar), treasurer; and Nathan Nicholson, Country Gas (Cortez), secretary.
Marshall Excelsior Company (MEC) is pleased to announce that George Jenkins has joined its team as the OEM Truck and Plant Sales Manager. George has served in the propane and NH3 industry for over 38 years. In 1979, he began his career as a machinist at Corken, global leader of industrial compression and pumping solutions. Over time he worked his way into the Quality Control Department and also led the Shipping and Receiving team prior to moving into Customer Service. After his stint in customer service, Jenkins transitioned to Outside Sales where he focused on servicing the Industrial Gas & LPG market. The company welcomes George’s extensive knowledge, outgoing personality, and the significant asset he will be to the MEC team, as well as OEM’s and equipment distributors within the LPG and Industrial Gas industry. George will be headquartered in Oklahoma City, Okl. where he has lived for 43 years. He will be available to all that wish to work with him and utilize his expertise.
Energy Distribution Partners (EDP; Chicago) is pleased to announce Paula Laney has joined the company as Director of Safety and Training. Laney brings to her role more than 25 years of propane industry experience, including more than 20 years in the area of safety training and education. She grew up in the propane industry, gaining experience early-on working with her parents in their family-owned propane operation, Liberty Propane in Cookson, Oklahoma. For nearly 20 years, Laney served as the Director of Safety, Training and Education for the Oklahoma LP Gas Research, Marketing and Safety Commission. She has served as the propane industry representative on the Oklahoma Uniform Building Code Commission’s Alternative Fuels Technical Committee and the Fuel Gas, Mechanical, and Plumbing Technical Committee. As a long-respected propane industry professional, Laney has served on the NPGA’s Education Training & Safety (ETS) Committee, and has worked closely with PERC and other safety professionals to deliver essential safety and training materials to the industry.
Don Vicari has also joined EDP as general manager for Ebbetts Pass Gas Service, which serves residential, commercial, and industrial customers in the Sierra Nevada mountain area of Calaveras and Alpine counties in California. Vicari, who has more than 25 years of management experience, spent the first 10 years of his propane career as the owner and operator of a Suburban Cylinder Express franchise operation in the Sacramento area. After selling his business, he joined AmeriGas to manage the Hawthorne and then Reno, Nev., territories. In his new position with Ebbetts Pass Gas Service, Vicari will manage all aspects of the business with a focus on providing an exceptional work environment and excellent customer service. He is an active member of the Western Propane Gas Association.The New Mexico Propane Gas Association has installed its officers for 2019-2020. Serving as president is Wendell Nicholson of Gallup Propane (Gallup); vice president, Carl Fox of Cross Country Propane (Bosque Farms); and secretary treasurer, Lynn Dunson of Country Gas (Farmington).
Bruce Whitney has been selected as executive director of the New York Propane Gas Association (NYPGA) effective Aug. 2019. He has held senior management roles with a focus on marketing, training, business development, and client retention for energy and energy equipment since 1999. Whitney was director of marketing for many years at Ray Murray Inc. (RMI), and a senior director at Unitil electric and gas utility in its Usource energy management and procurement division. He also co-founded a Vermont business association decades ago. Whitney has been involved with NYPGA as a member, show exhibitor, and active participant on the Legislative Committee.
The Louisiana Propane Gas Association (LPGA) has installed its officers for the 2019-2020 term. Serving as president is Ralph Poole of Bergquist Inc. (Alexandria); vice president, Al Cadwallader of Southern LP Gas (Winnfield); and secretary/treasurer, Jerry McCain of Lacox (Covington). Holding the position of Northern District Director is Clint Vegas of Delta Fuel (Ferriday); Southern District director, Kenny Lucero of Cajun Propane (Scott); North at-large director, Neil Wise of O’Nealgas (Wise Choice Investments; Tallulah); and South at-large director, John McManus of ReedGas Propane (Eunice). In addition, Steve Higginson of Meeder Equipment (Tyler, Texas) will serve as Supplier committee chairman; and Steve Sampson of CUI (Simpsonville, S.C.), Supplier-elect.
George Jenkins, a propane industry veteran of 38 years has joined the Marshall Excelsior Co. (MEC) as OEM Truck and Plant Sales Manager. Jenkins will be based in Oklahoma City, his home of 43 years. Jenkins began his propane industry career in 1979 as a machinist for Corken, a global leader in industrial compression and propane pumping solutions for autogas filling stations, bulk plants, tank car unloading, propane delivery truck, propane transport, and agricultural agricultural ammonia transport applications. Jenkins has also provided outside sales services to the industrial gas and LPG market sales.
David Stewart, Heartland Propane (Girard) has been sworn in as president of the Propane Marketers Association of Kansas for the 2019-2020 term. Serving with him are Hannah Ramriez, Trinity Ag LLC (Smith Center), vice president; David Monroe, Alliance Ag & Grain (Protection), secretary/treasurer; and Karl Serrien of Central Valley Ag (Beloit), immediate past president.
Jack Potts, partial owner and president of Squibb Taylor (Dallas), passed away May 31. He was 83. Mr. Potts retired from the company in December 2017. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends.
The Western Propane Gas Association has installed its officers for 2019-2020. Richard Martinelli of InterState Propane (Sacramento) is serving as chairman; Ben McWhorter, Sequoia Gas Co. (Fortuna, Calif.), vice chairman; and Julie Johnson, Ted Johnson Propane (Baldwin Park, Calif.), secretary/treasurer. Patti Grantham of Targa Resources (San Ramon, Calif.) is past chairwoman.
