Author: Shelby Bell

As your elected State Director, I wanted to provide you with important updates and a summary of activities that took place at the most recent National Propane Gas Association (NPGA) Board of Directors meeting. 

NPGA’s committees and task forces held meetings and discussed issues of importance to all propane industry members. I encourage you to take the time to read my report.

Click HERE for the State Director Update – Winter 2021

Thank you for the opportunity to represent you.

Sincerely,
Kara Tucker
Koppy’s Propane
Williamstown, Pennsylvania

Pursuant to the Proclamation of Disaster Emergency issued by the Governor on February 1, 2021, 75 Pa. C.S. §6108, and the authority granted in 49 C.F.R. §390.23 and 67 Pa. Code Chapter 231, the waivers in this exemption apply to motor carriers engaged in operations necessary to respond to the sever winter storm event disaster emergency declared by the Governor. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation hereby issues the following exemption:

TYPE OF OPERATION: Transportation of essential food, dairy products, and pharmaceuticals to food distribution, retail and wholesale food establishments, and transportation and distribution of agricultural feed, and transportation of motor fuels, heating fuels, and propane.

EXTENT OF EXEMPTION: Requirement to comply with driver hour of service limitations. 

Drivers operating under the terms of the Hours of Service waiver should keep a copy of Exemption 2021-01 (below) in the vehicle.

EFFECTIVE DATE: February 2, 2021

TERMINATION DATE: February 16, 2021

Click HERE to View/Print Exemption 2021.01

The NPGA Board of Directors meets three times a year and brings together more than 200 leaders from every industry sector. During these meetings, the Board sets association policies and advocacy objectives, identifies ways to grow the industry, and participates in numerous networking events. The NPGA Fall Committee and Section Meetings took place via Zoom, and the Board of Directors meeting took place via webinar. With more than 330 participants and 48 meetings over three days, this virtual event was a success.

Click HERE to read the entire NPGA State Director Report

The Pennsylvania Propane Gas Association (PAPGA) is pleased to announce our members have elected Beth Donovan as the new President. Beth who is the Director of Propane Operations at Shipley Energy will serve for two-years. She has served PAPGA in numerous capacities since 2004, most recently as chair of the Political Action Committee and President of the Pennsylvania Propane Foundation.

Beth succeeds Harold Sweet, Field Service Manager for Superior Plus Propane, who served as President since 2018 and will continue to serve on the executive committee as Immediate Past President.

Newly Elected Executive Committee (term expires 2022):

• President Elect            Hugh Rich, III, Richgas, Inc.
• Vice President             Chris Wolfe, Ray Murray, Inc.
• Treasurer                     Mark Delehanty, Independence Propane
• Secretary                      Mike George, E.F. Laudenslager, Inc.
• NPGA State Director   Kara Tucker, Koppy’s Propane

            Newly Elected District Directors (term expires 2022):
District 1 – Dave Pennypacker, Superior Plus Propane
District 2 – Norm Cupples, ProGas, Inc.
District 3 – John Maruska, Algas
District 4 – Dan Messett, Home Depot Pro
District 5 – Rick Feiler, RDF Training
District 6 – Rory Greenley, Ace-Robbins, Inc.
District 7 – Dan Balmer, Penn Valley Gas
District 8 – Randy Styer, Styer Propane

            Newly Elected Director-at-Large (term expires 2021):
Dale Aldrich, Bergquist, Inc.
DeAnn Driscoll, DiTech Testing
John Murray, Ray Murray, Inc.
Pat Shay, Tarantin Industries
Michelle Wilson, P3/Boston Environmental

            Current District Directors (term expires 2021):
District 1 – Ken Horner, AmeriGas Propane
District 2 – Mike Salansky, Stuck Enterprises
District 3 – Zac Cromie, Smith Propane & Oil
District 4 – Randy Witmer, Koppy’s Propane
District 5 – Tim Jackson, Energy Links, LLC/Premium Power Services
District 6 – Greg Smith, Bluhm’s Gas Sales
District 7 – Jay Gorzkowski, Modern Gas Sales
District 8 – John Cepiel, Clyde S. Walton

“I am deeply honored and excited to take on the role of President. Harold served as President with the utmost integrity and I intend to pick up where he left off alongside a group of professionals who have a wealth of knowledge and experience in the propane industry,” said Beth Donovan. ‘Together with our Board of Directors, members and executive director, we are committed to advancing the association’s purpose and the propane industry in Pennsylvania.’

Click HERE to View Press Release

The NPGA Board of Directors typically meets three times a year and brings together more than 200 leaders from every industry sector. During these meetings, the Board sets association policies and advocacy objectives, identifies ways to grow the industry, and participates in numerous networking events. Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the Mid-Year Board of Directors meeting took place June 15, 2020 via webinar.

Click HERE to read the full NPGA State Director Report