Todd Jones, Director of Education for the Illinois Propane Gas Association

Todd Jones’ entry into the propane industry is a familiar one for many: He was looking for a full-time job with a good company. This led him to a role with Ferrellgas as a cylinder driver, and after 14 years of hard work, he worked his way up to an operations manager. Eventually, he moved on to service technician and service manager roles at Prairieland FS, until one day a former manager asked if he’d like to be director of education for the Illinois Propane Gas Association (IPGA).

Todd’s nomination demonstrates that industry members have noticed he stands out from the crowd in his approach to teaching. “When members come to him for guidance, if he hasn’t seen it, he knows exactly who has,” the nomination stated. “Todd is not ‘just a propane teacher.’ He is a mentor, an innovator and a trusted resource in the industry.”

Todd has worked to support Illinois companies in many ways, including planning bulk plants, leading dispenser training programs and introducing experienced technicians to new products and best practices. “He played a key role in bringing a mobile dispenser training trailer to IPGA, allowing for hands-on, real-world training anywhere in the state,” the nomination said.

“I think the use of newer technologies such as iPads, cellphones and real-time documentation gives the industry the capability to be safer and more efficient,” Todd said. “At the same time, there is a lot that can be learned from us old-timers that can’t be taught in a classroom.”

Todd feels his availability to the industry is important. “I’ve made myself accessible, day or night, to all members with questions, concerns or even just friendly advice. I believe the IPGA over the last few years has tried to make every aspect of the association more accessible for our members.”

As for brainstorming and assessing new ideas, Todd says he has a time-tested process. “My process normally involves looking at every situation from all sides of the spectrum to be able to come out with the safest and most efficient results for everyone.

“In class, I always try to keep participants informed about new industry products to make their jobs safer and relay to them that there is a difference between the classroom and the real world,” Todd continued. “Things don’t always go as planned. That’s why my door — and phone — are always open.”

Todd added that hands-on training has always been and will continue to be a vital part of the learning process. “Any opportunity we get to have those defective parts, cut-aways, neglected hoses for a visual reference, and leak checking/system testing training boards, the better off the new generation will be. We need to keep in mind that this industry is not a one-size-fits-all,” he said. “Things are constantly changing, whether it be codes, technology, trucks or people. What works in one region doesn’t necessarily mean that it will work in another. I’m always tasked with new training ideas and implementing company-specific training. Once an industry becomes stagnant, it becomes irrelevant. Hopefully, as an industry, we can get the push we need to be recognized as a safer, more efficient and renewable fuel source for years to come.”