Propane Leaders Answer: What Is Your Big, Bold Goal for 2024?

This question is recycled from three years ago — since then, much has changed. As it turns out, our responders have a wide range of goals. In this column, adopted from the familiar “Heard on the Street” format, we offer our responders a chance to answer the question posed in the title. These are their replies reported verbatim.

Big, Bold Goal for the New Year

My big, bold goal is for national and world peace! But since that probably won’t happen, I will work on my ability to be at peace — just don’t let things that are out of my control bother me and do good for others. Tom Krupa NGL Supply Terminals Co. Richmond, Virginia To balance time better, even if it is a little time here and a little time there. Also, to get a better handle on most paperwork — everybody’s favorite thing!

Richard Strycharz Jr.
Walter’s Propane
Sunderland, Massachusetts

It’s a secret, and no, it’s not giving up smoking and drinking again. After all we are going through in Vermont, I’m thinking about starting. LOL.

Judy Taranovich
Proctor Gas Inc.
Proctor, Vermont

The big goal in 2024 … is a personal goal of mine. My goal is to take my wife to Hawaii in November 2024 for her birthday. She has always wanted to go. I’m not sure which island (or islands). That is up to her. I’m just happy to get some warm, sunny weather. I’m sure it beats western Pennsylvania weather in November. 

Jon Shepard
VK Inspections LLC
Mercer, Pennsylvania

One of my big, bold goals in 2024 is to reach out and be intentional in visiting and keeping up with family members I normally don’t see. One wise person once told me you don’t want weddings and funerals to be the only two occasions when your family comes together to catch up on life.

Sam Fung
Emerson Fisher LP Gas
McKinney, Texas

My big, bold goal in 2024 is to retire! My husband and I plan to slowly back off our work schedule so we can have more time to do the things on our bucket list! Hopefully we will be able to completely retire sometime in 2024!

Rosie Buschur
McMahan’s Bottle Gas
Dayton, Ohio

My big, bold goal for 2024 is to dig into my ‘stop-doing list.’ As the day-to-day chaos happens, I tend to give myself too many tasks and I tell myself that it all must get done. It’s time to reevaluate what I and my team members do every day that really matters so that we can focus on the right tasks. 

Jason Soulon
Westmor Industries
Shawnee, Kansas

My big, bold goal of 2024 is something I never thought I would be saying: opening my second storefront in a neighboring state! My parents started the business in 1960 with one bobtail and always operated out of their home. I was so excited to have an office built eight years ago! No reason to slow down now, so the wheels are in motion for our store in Texas. I expect it to be up and running before fall of 2024.

Paula Moore
Blackburn Propane Service Inc.
Durant, Oklahoma

Retirement. 🙂

Susan Peterson
Rural Computer Consultants
Bird Island, Minnesota

In 2024, my biggest goal is to spend as much time with my family making as many memories as we can.

Jessica Johnson
ThompsonGas
Asheville, North Carolina

My goal for 2024 is to figure out, ‘What is MY mission statement?’ I was asked that very simple question — shoutout to Angela Morrill for asking me that question at the [National Propane Gas Association board meeting] in October — a few months ago, and I answered it with my typical response that aligns with my position at work. She looked at me and said, ‘No … what is your mission statement?’ To which I answered with my quest to raise good children into productive members of society. She looked at me again and said, ‘No … what is YOUR mission statement?’ I was caught off guard. My world has been centered around my girls (who will soon be leaving the nest) and around my work. We all go through seasons of life, and I need to start thinking what this next season should look like. 

Tonya Crow
GROWMARK Inc.
Bloomington, Illinois

To develop more meaningful relationships in the propane industry.

Jerry Schimmel
P3 Propane Safety
Cumberland, Rhode Island

My big, bold goal is to watch the Detroit Lions win a playoff game in 2024. It’s been over 30 years since it happened. They’re due.

Don Montroy
Bergquist Inc.
Rockford, Michigan

Last year I did not accomplish my goal. Now what? Do I set the same goal again? I find that roughly half the goals I set, I actually attain. What I do know is that in 2024, I will accomplish great things and I will also get a handful of trouble and a splash of grief. I think this year, my goal is to be grateful for everything and content with what life throws my way.

Julie Johnson
Ted Johnson Propane
Baldwin Park, California

My goal for 2024 is to spend more time working on my business than in my business. This will require me to focus on coaching my team, delegating day-to-day work, and personal growth and business development. 

Lauren Clark
Bergquist Inc.
Toledo, Ohio

A Big, Bold 2024 Ahead

To tie your goal to something within your control may set you up best for success. I once created a piece of artwork that required my steady time throughout a 12-month period. The result is meaningful to me and reminds me from its prominent placement in my home that big, bold goals, which are attained, are always worthwhile.