Propane Employer Testimonials

I had the privilege and opportunity to speak to students who recently earned their CDLs through the Sage Truck Driving School in Dallas thanks to the GeneratioNext Propane Pros program. I have not been with the propane industry as long as my colleagues have but it doesn’t take much to recognize that propane is on the rise and demand is continuing to increase every single day. In turn, this means more job openings, more people needed – enter, GeneratioNext Propane Pros. During my part of the presentation, the students were respectful and ended up having quite a few questions towards the end. By far, this was better than any job or career fair I could have gone to. I think this program is exactly what our industry needs to fill those gaps in the application and hiring process and every company, big or small, should take part in this advantageous program.

Carly Donsbach Hoover
Talent Acquisition Recruiter • Meritum Energy/Pico Propane
Texas

Securing the next generation of employees in the propane industry requires direct outreach, and that is exactly what GeneratioNext Propane Pros is doing. I joined them for a presentation at a local school where they showed students all the benefits of working in our industry. Reaching students when they are starting to think about their careers is critical and this presentation with GenreatioNext Propane Pros really got the room excited about all the job opportunities propane has to offer.

Mike Taylor
Owner • Combined Energy Services
New York

Michelle, thank you for the opportunity today to speak to the two groups of Trade students. I appreciate you contacting these schools and setting up the opportunity to shed light on our industry! It never surprises me how many people are impressed with the many uses of propane and just how versatile this clean fuel is. This opportunity to assist you in educating students about propane, its possibilities, and my company was priceless. Thank you!

Tommy Reedy
District Manager • ThompsonGas
Rogersville, Missouri

GeneratioNext Propane Pros is a tool our industry has needed for a long time now: viable career opportunities for technical trade school students and qualified candidates for hire for local propane companies. I don’t know how every state is not participating in GeneratioNext Propane Pros. During one of the GeneratioNext Propane Pros presentations, I had the opportunity to connect with qualified CDL and HVAC applicants and let them know about the career opportunities at McMinnville Gas as well as in the propane industry. Following the presentation, I had candidates contacting me for placement. Every propane company and state association should be invested in this program because it is an investment in the success of our industry.

Ryan Buller
McMinnville Gas
Oregon

Partnering with GeneratioNext Propane Pros proves to be a unique experience which bridges the gap between new CDL drivers and the propane industry. Their ability to focus on niche groups of people, such as CDL students and graduates, is essential so that people can not only find a job, but set themselves up for a life-long career in propane. It also allows for companies to fill roles with top talent. This may not otherwise be possible without the collaboration services provided by GeneratioNext Propane Pros to educate, raise, awareness, and feature companies in the industry on a rotating basis.

Aphrodite Reifsnyder
Former Driver Recruiter • Thompson Gas, LLC
CA, AL, FL, GA, IL, KY, MD, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, NV, OR, PA,SC, TN, VA, WA,WI, WV

What a pleasure to have participated the last few months with Michelle Wilson of GeneratioNext Propane Pros while presenting to CDL and career tech classes in AL, NC and VA. These presentations have allowed us both to promote the propane industry for what it is: dedicated people doing meaningful work in a sustainable industry with a high need for new contributors.

I have left each presentation feeling like we reached folks who had not thought of propane beyond the gas grill. These students now know that we have a variety of positions that will utilize their CDL, HVAC, and/or mechanical skills while offering competitive pay, professional growth, and the ability to work throughout the country as their lives change.

Alex Gresham
Blossman Gas & Appliance
MS/ FL/ AL/ GA/ TN/ NC / SC/ KY/ VA/ WV / OH

I had the opportunity to participate in a GeneratioNext Propane Pros presentation for a CDL truck driving school. Michelle did a wonderful job telling the story of some of the great things that the propane industry has to offer its employees. In addition to career opportunities, the presentation also takes a minute to educate the participants about the uses, benefits, and advantages of propane. This is a propane-specific presentation to a targeted group of potential employees for the industry. Very well done.

Josh Greene
Operational Manager • Arrick’s Propane
Ohio

I recently participated in a presentation with GeneratioNext Propane Pros at a local HVAC class. It was a great opportunity to meet young people pursuing trade careers in our state. The presentation was informative and really showcased all of the benefits of working in the propane industry. I was able to share my own experiences with the students and could see they left informed and interested in pursuing jobs in propane after graduation.

Jeffrey Spiegel
Vice President • SOS Xtreme Comfort
New York

I have had the opportunity to join Michelle and her team at GenerationNext Propane Pros for a handful of their classroom presentations. I am always amazed by how intrigued the students are, not only about propane but trucking in general. They are amazed about what a propane company can offer them in terms of a career. You can always tell how well a presentation went, when the students want more information through the questions they ask. The conversation we typically have about trucking is usually negative, however, that is not what happens at these sessions. These students are intrigued, they become passionate, and gain a better understanding of our industry. GenerationNext is doing a great service for the country and the propane industry by providing these outreach sessions. Thank you very much!

Denver VanderYacht
Sales And Marketing Manager • VanderYacht Propane
Lynden, Washington

Joining GeneratioNext Propane Pros for one of their outreach sessions was one of the most rewarding recruiting experiences I have participated in. I had the opportunity to speak with CDL students about Ferrellgas and the benefits of a career opportunity in the propane industry. I even had a CDL student apply before the presentation ended! This is a program all state associations and propane marketers should be involved with.

David Rasmussen
General Manager • Ferrellgas
Tennessee

During a time when labor shortages and an aging work force are plaguing our industry, Michelle with GenerationNext Propane Pros gave us an opportunity that we would not have otherwise had to speak with CDL classes in our area to promote not only the propane industry but also Superior Gas.

Michelle provided a positive, pro propane PowerPoint highlighting the benefits of our industry, made the presentation process very easy, and guided us through discussing career options available within our company. Hopefully, informing and educating new CDL candidates about career opportunities in the propane industry will spur much needed “young blood” to enter the propane workforce. We greatly appreciate the opportunity that Michelle and GenerationNext facilitated for us.

Rainer Montgomery & Jerry Walker
Superior Gas Company
Alabama

I had the pleasure of joining GeneratioNext Propane Pros at a zoom presentation with the HVAC class at East Valley Institute of Technology. It was by far the most rewarding recruiting experience I’ve had, and I can see how this program helps solve our industry’s workforce challenges. Michelle started off the presentation asking if any students had considered a career in our industry and few hands went up – they didn’t connect the skill set they were learning in class to a career in the propane industry. Michelle walked them through the benefits of a career in our industry and how their skill sets aligned – I was even afforded an opportunity to talk about Barrett Propane. Not only did this presentation allow me to interact with the students and instructors, I had the opportunity to speak with some great candidates too! Every propane company in Arizona should participate in one of these presentations, Michelle makes it easy, and you could end up with a new hire!

Lisa Barrett
General Manager • Barrett Propane
Prescott, Arizona

Recently our team had the opportunity to visit the Schuylkill Technology Center on behalf of GeneratioNext Propane Pros. We met with CDL and HVAC students to talk about the exciting changes in our industry as well as to discuss what makes Heller’s Gas unique. GeneratioNext Propane Pros explained the history and evolving future of the propane industry and allowed our Director of Delivery Operations to present his story of starting as a yard technician and working his way up into his current position. This helped to showcase how there are always many growth opportunities within the propane industry. It was truly a wonderful experience to get to make connections with students and prospective employees. We are very thankful for the chance to share our story and successes, and GeneratioNext Propane Pros made that all possible.

Ciara Littlejohn
Recruiter • Heller’s Gas, Inc.
PA, MD, NY

Thanks for affording me the opportunity to participate in the GeneratioNext Propane Pros presentation today. The presentation clearly illustrates all the things that enable the propane gas business to be an industry of choice for many individuals across the country. It is a win-win situation when employers can expand their recruiting pool while giving students the necessary information to make important career path decisions. These types of initiatives are critical in enabling sustainability and growth for the propane industry.

Kenny Cabral
HR Manager • Parker Gas Company
North Carolina

“I recently had the pleasure of participating in a Zoom presentation with Michelle Wilson at the South Texas Vocational Technical Institute. It’s refreshing to see companies like hers being proactive in recruiting talent straight out of school, rather than relying solely on traditional hiring platforms. Educating individuals about the propane industry and showcasing its potential as a rewarding career path is invaluable for the long-term success of our field. As an owner of a propane company, I was able to provide insights into job-specific aspects and also contribute to the engaging question and answer session. This initiative is a fantastic tool that will undoubtedly benefit our industry in the future.”

Brody Newton
Owner • Buster's Propane, LLC
Georgia

I appreciate Michelle giving me the opportunity to join in on my first GenerationNext Propane Pros outreach session that was with one of the CDL classes at Shawnee Community College. It was great being able to talk to these future CDL drivers about a career in the propane industry, and the many opportunities for them to consider in our industry. I look forward to continuing a working relationship with Michelle and helping the future students look at the propane industry as a great career path that will allow them to grow not just professionally but personally as well. This industry is a wonderful opportunity for those individuals that thrive in an environment that allows them to be self-sufficient.

Tim Brown
General Manager • DCC Propane
Illinois

I am grateful for what Michelle Wilson of GererationNext Propane Pros is doing to represent our propane industry in the most exciting and optimistic way. We have a great future for our company and our industry, but Michelle is doing an enthusiastic job of communicating this opportunity with potential employees. I look forward to being able to employ many of the people that Michelle is putting out in front of us. We will have to continue to adapt to new processes in recruiting the next generation of drivers for our company. Thank you for the opportunity to participate with this program.

Dan Overpeck
Owner • Overpeck Gas Co Inc.
Indiana

I had the pleasure of joining Michelle Wilson of the GeneratioNext Propane Pros along with approximately 20 HVAC students from the Delcastle Technical High School in a Zoom meeting yesterday. Michelle was very professional and knowledgeable about the propane industry. She and the students asked me some hard-hitting questions, which I appreciated. The students are obviously in very capable hands when it comes to their career paths because of Michelle’s guidance. I look forward to giving more presentations in the future and to working with Michelle and the students again.

Lynn Setteducato
Marketing / Sales Consultant • Pennywise Fuel Company
Pennsylvania

I have been fortunate to work near and within the propane industry over the past decade and have grown tremendous respect for the people dedicated to providing an environmentally friendly and safe fuel source to our customers. I have also seen it can be challenging to share this story with the next generation – especially those entering the workforce. GeneratioNext Propane is doing a phenomenal job connecting with propane retailers to educate students at local technical schools around not only the basics of propane but also about rewarding, local job opportunities within the propane industry. It’s a community we are passionate to grow, and GeneratioNext Propane is doing all the right things to partner with institutes to build a pipeline of hard-working experts to carry the legacy forward.

Becky Hornblower
Energy Marketing Specialist • Gold Star FS
Illinois

Recently, I had the honor of participating in a presentation promoting the propane business by the OPGA to the Southern Ohio Technical Institute HVAC class. This was my first experience with an opportunity like this, and it blew me away why it took me so long to get involved. This was a fantastic experience, and I was grateful for the opportunity to promote, not only the propane business, but also Amerigas as the leader in the propane industry to the class of HVAC students. I look forward to more opportunities to come!

Matt Malott
Territory Manager • AmeriGas
Ohio, Kentucky & Indiana

Today I had the privilege of joining an outreach session with GeneratioNext Propane Pros. I was blown away with the presentation and the message conveyed by Michelle about the career opportunities in the Propane Industry. It was a great opportunity to speak with CDL students about career opportunities that our company has to offer. I love the program and would recommend to all companies and organizations within the propane industry.

Kevin Mann
Ferrellgas

Michelle invited me to participate in a GenerationNext Propane Pros presentation at the South Louisiana Community College. It was really great seeing Michelle show all the opportunity the propane industry has to offer for new CDL drivers entering the work force. She was also great in getting the whole class engaged on the longevity of a career in propane.

Brett Caminita
Area Manager • Amerigas
AL, AK, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, HI, ID, IL, IN, IA, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND,OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY

“GeneratioNext Propane Pros provides one of the most efficient, effective, rewarding recruitment programs the industry has. When the presentation started, the CDL students had never considered the propane industry. After educating them on how their CDL can be used to deliver or transport propane, they were excited to start a career in our industry. By participating in the presentation, I was able to let them know about specific job opportunities at Northwest Propane. Following the presentations, several students reached out inquiring about our open positions and Michelle sent along qualified candidates. I would encourage every propane company to take advantage of GeneratioNext Propane Pros.”

Casey Mickens
Route/Dispatch Manager • Northwest Propane Gas Co.

Our industry is experiencing some major turnover as our veteran employees begin retirement. I joined the NPGA Workforce Outreach taskforce several years ago because I can see the writing on the wall. GeneratioNext Propane Pros is making connections and getting us a front row seat at CDL and technical trade schools in Illinois. Together, we are able to educate the students on the benefits of a career in the propane industry. The work they are doing is invaluable in delivering our message to the right group of skilled workers that we need on our payroll in these upcoming years.

Tonya Crow
Energy Sales & Marketing Director • GROWMARK / FS Propane
Illinois

I greatly appreciate the opportunity to share my experiences in the propane industry with future industry professionals. GeneratioNext Propane Pros does a fantastic job of putting HVAC professionals in touch with industry leaders to brag about the benefits of not only working for our company, but working for the industry as a whole.

Matt Schmitt
Territory Manager • Amerigas
Eastern Missouri, Southern Illinois, Western Kentucky