Propane People "In The News"

(June 18, 2019) — Cargas Systems (Lancaster, Pa.) has promoted Cory Grimm to director of consulting. In his new role, Grimm will expand his management responsibilities leading Cargas Energy’s systems consultants and project managers, as well as focusing on scaling the team’s implementation methodology and strategic initiatives such as new product releases. Prior to joining Cargas, Grimm was an operations analyst for the federal government, a financial advisor, and served in the active duty Air Force. Since joining Cargas in 2013, he has served as a trainer, consultant, and project manager.

Dan Boyd has joined Energy Distribution Partners (EDP; Chicago) as General Manager for Anderson Propane Services. Anderson Propane serves residential and commercial customers in the Caldwell and Uhrichsville, Ohio, areas.

Clayton Cook has joined EDP as General Manager for United Propane, which serves residential, commercial and agricultural customers in a seven-county area surrounding Lancaster, Ohio. United Propane was formerly part of United Landmark, which included propane, agronomy and retail sales.

Travis Dunham has joined EDP as director of supply and logistics, with responsibility for working closely with EDP’s field executives to secure supply for its growing retail operations nationwide. Dunham was most recently director of wholesale at Ferrellgas. He began his career in the propane industry in 2005 as a wholesale representative for Ferrellgas, covering the Ohio Valley. Since, he served in positions of increasing responsibility, managing supply and procurement for Ferrell’s retail operations as well as independent propane marketers.

Keith Barker has joined EDP as general manager of Carolina Propane in Orangeburg, S.C., and Carmichael Propane in Walterboro, S.C. Carolina Propane serves residential, commercial, and agricultural customers in the Orangeburg and St. Matthews area, while Carmichael Propane has a primarily residential propane customer base and serves South Carolina’s Low Country. In addition to maintaining the current residential and agriculture markets in the service areas, Barker is responsible for growing the two companies across all of their business segments. He started in the industry in 1987, in the Carolinas and Virginia. Baker joined Davenport Energies, an independently owned fueloil and propane dealer with 30 convenience stores. More recently he held management positions with Blossman Gas & Appliance, Heritage Propane, AmeriGas, and Piedmont Propane Services.

Marlo Young, co-founder and COO of Energy Distribution Partners (EDP; Chicago), passed away in late April. He was a long-time propane industry leader, as well as a key member of EDP’s team since its founding in 2012. Mr. Young had extensive experience in the energy sector and previously served in operating and executive roles with Ferrellgas, Cornerstone Propane, and Inergy Propane. Tom Knauff, CEO of Energy Distribution Partners, commented, “He was recognized throughout the propane business for his wise counsel and positive leadership.”

Carl Kaplan has joined the Ferrellgas (Liberty, Mo.) Acquisitions Department as a business development executive serving the Northeast U. S. He previously spent more than 10 years in natural gas origination with companies headquartered in Connecticut and New York. In his new position at Ferrellgas, Kaplan will be based in Connecticut and cover a territory that encompasses 17 states and the District of Columbia.

Tom Dudycha, marketing manager for Independent Technologies Inc. (Blair, Neb.), retired the end of April. He was hired in 2008 by the late Daryl Ingalsbe.

Edwin Ludvik, formerly of Ludvik Propane Gas (Walsenburg, Colo.), passed away April 9 at the age of 66. He began his career as a CPA in Denver in 1974 before transitioning to vice president of finance and administration of a publicly traded company, and a number of other executive positions. He later entered the family business, Ludvik Propane Gas, taking over the company in 1997 and eventually selling the operation in 2010. He was a member of the National Propane Gas Association and the Colorado Propane Gas Association (CPGA). In 2011, CPGA honored him with the first annual “Pioneer” award, which it established to recognize those who helped build the propane industry in Colorado.

The MFA Oil Co. (Columbia, Mo.) board of directors has named Jon Ihler interim CEO. He will be responsible for overseeing the company’s day-to-day operations of the refined fuel, propane, Petro-Card 24, Break Time, Big O Tires, and Jiffy Lube operations across an eight-state region. Ihler succeeds Mark Fenner, who had served as president and CEO since 2014. Ihler joined MFA Oil in 2001 working in Big O Tires and Jiffy Lube before leaving to own and operate his own franchised automotive business. He returned to MFA Oil in 2006, serving as business development manager and director of sales and marketing before being promoted to vice president of sales and marketing in 2014, overseeing sales, marketing, and distribution.

The Minnesota Propane Association (MPA) has named Dave Wager as its next executive director. He will work with the current director, Roger Leider, until Jan. 1, 2020, when he will assume full responsibility as executive director. Wager has been in the propane industry for the past 32 years, starting with Cannon Valley Cooperative in 1987, through its many mergers, to form Central Farm Service. He became active in the industry 20 years ago, working in the Hall of Flame building at the state fair, as well as other association activities. He has served on a number of MPA committees, most recently the successions committee that hired its new training company and trainer. Wager was a member of the executive committee, has been active on the board of directors since 2010 and served as association president in 2015.

Tyler Lawrence has joined the National Propane Gas Association (NPGA; Washington, D.C.) as manager of legislative affairs, where he will work with Michael Baker, director of legislative affairs, on federal level priorities. Previously, Lawrence was Honda’s federal lobbyist for tax, trade, and workforce development. He also managed and developed the company’s corresponding internal working groups and advocacy campaign, in addition to chairing the Global Automakers’ Trade Policy Committee. Before joining Honda, Lawrence also held a number of positions at the National Association of Manufacturers, among them working in the group’s government relations department on tax and trade policy and lobbying.
David Dodd has joined Otodata’s (Montreal) U.S. team as its new southern regional sales representative with responsibility for the southern portion of the country. He will be based in Florida. Dodd has more than 20 years of experience in B2B sales.

Christina Armentano, executive vice president of Paraco Gas (Rye, N.Y.), was appointed to the National Propane Gas Association’s (NPGA) board of directors as a director-at-large during the winter board meeting in February. She was also elected to the New York Propane Gas Association executive board as secretary, effective in March. Armentano also sits on the NYPERC board, and is a board member of the Hudson Valley Oil & Energy Council.

Leanne Mazoch has joined Ray Energy (Troy, N.Y.) as vice president of supply, based in Houston. Mazoch has been involved in the integrated oil and gas industry for more than 20 years. In her new position, she will assist in broadening markets by locating and purchasing fuel from multiple supply origination points to meet the growing demand of customers east of the Mississippi. Mazoch has held various positions within the energy sector, most recently as the Northeast NGL and olefins marketer for BP Energy Co., where she marketed third-party and equity propane supply for all eastern U.S. demand.

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