Propane Sales Forum: Learning and Action for Business Growth

Armistead Mauck

Armistead obtained an undergraduate degree, majoring in Mathematics and Economics, from Hampden-Sydney College. During the next 9 years he served as a loan officer in Private and Business Banking as well the role of City Executive working at both Wachovia and First Citizens Banks in North Carolina. In 1995 he left the Banking industry to join a family business operating convenience stores and a refined fuels distributorship. In 2005 Armistead and his partner purchased their first of two Propane Companies.

During his past 30 years as a business owner in the Petroleum and Propane industries, Armistead has led numerous business acquisitions as well as software enterprise installations including accounting, CRM, and dispatch automation. In 2022 he started a consulting business working within the industry to commercialize new technology and assist other business owners seeking operational improvement.

Keynote: Sam Richter

Sam is the founder and CEO of SBR Worldwide/Know More. Through his in-person keynote presentations and online programs, Sam trains leading organizations and entertains tens of thousands of people around the world. Sam’s programs promise to be the highest-content, most take-home-value presentations attendees have ever experienced.

The National Speakers Association inducted Sam into the Professional Speaker Hall of Fame, where fewer than 300 professional speakers worldwide have been honored, and Sam also received the Association’s CSP Designation, reserved for the top 10 percent of the world’s professional speakers.

He was named one of the Top 15 Highest Rated Speakers for Virtual Events, one of the Top 50 Sales Keynote Speakers in the world, one of the world’s Top 100 Motivational Speakers, a Top Sales Coach by the Coach Foundation, and he is also a member of the Minnesota Speaker Hall of Fame.

Dan Kossow

Dan joined the material handling industry as a high school intern in 1998 as a part of Hoist Liftruck. During the first 20 years of his career at Hoist, Dan held several roles including Vice President of Finance, CFO and then Vice President and General Manager.

In 2019, Hoist Liftruck was acquired by Toyota Industries North America, where Dan joined the Toyota team, first as the Director of the Heavy Duty Division and then in 2023 became the Director of National Accounts and Heavy Duty Sales, leading two key sales groups within the Toyota family.

Dan believes in family first and servant leadership as guiding principles. Dan is married with a 7 year old son, residing in the Indianapolis, Indiana area.

Steve Peel

Steve Peel is Director of Sales for Champion Homes with a focus on modular building in obtainable urban infill.

Bill Owens

William “Bill” Owens established Owens Construction in 1982. It has grown to be the premier residential design / build contractor in the northern Columbus area focusing on integrating seamless appearance, energy efficient technology and creating welcoming home environments. Bill is NAHB’s 2023 Third Vice Chairman, and he is a nationally recognized home remodeling educator and speaker. With over 40 years in remodeling, he is a true mentor in the building industry.

Steve Bowen

Steve currently serves as Director of Business Development for Canter Power Systems and has been in that role since late 2019. Before that he was with PSNC Energy, a North Carolina gas utility for nearly 40 years serving in a number of sales and marketing leadership roles, primarily General Manager of Sales & Marketing.

Mike Rueger

Mike Rueger, Director of Sales at Canter Power Systems, has 20+ years in sales, retail & marketing focusing on relationships between retailer and consumers to build partnerships and revenue.

Scott Bradley

Scott is an enthusiastic and devoted Electric Vehicle (EV) advocate. His areas of expertise encompass EV Charging and EV Charging Infrastructure using propane and renewable propane. Scott has more than a decade of experience working in and exploring technology and energy industries, and is often invited to speak at national events, focusing on forward-thinking topics such as off-grid EV charging, clean energy solutions, and the future of the grid.

Scott sustains a deep academic interest in the evolution of electric vehicles, researching the history of electric vehicles, their development, and their impact on society and the evolution of transportation. His hands-on experience with leading brands and technologies coupled with his passion for the work drives him to explore ways to innovate and improve the EV experience. Scott is committed to advancing the industry and contributing to a sustainable future. Scott holds a B.S. in Electrical Engineering and a M.S. In Electrical Engineering – Robotics and Artificial Intelligence.

Carlos Rodriguez

Carlos Rodriguez resides in Southern California, where he began his career in the propane industry in 1988. Over the course of 27 years, he had the opportunity to work with respected companies including Ferrellgas, Heritage Propane, and AmeriGas, gaining experience in propane, residential, commercial, mower and autogas fleet transitions, as well as sales. In 2015, Carlos joined Rinnai America, where he currently serves as the Western U.S. Energy Business Development Manager. Delivering water and heating solutions to customers—all while supporting his valued friends in the propane industry—which is a true passion of his. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with family, fishing, camping, and watching movies.

Bryan Martin

Bryan Martin is a graduate of the University of Georgia with a degree in Turfgrass Management and Horticulture. With 18 years of experience in the landscape and golf industry, Bryan has spent the last 12 years at Rotolo Consultants, Inc., focusing on commercial maintenance operations. During this time, he has played a key role in successfully converting RCI’s commercial mowing fleet from gas and diesel to 95% propane use. Their operations span eight states and 19 office locations, delivering sustainable and efficient solutions across the region.

Mark Denton

After graduating from Georgia Southern University in 1978 with a Bachelor of Business Administration, Mark entered the retail propane business where he currently has over 47 years’ experience in management and sales. Mark has held several management and sales positions with three different companies in the retail propane business from Branch Manager, Area Manager, Sales Manager, Regional Vice President and finally Vice President, Business Development, his current position with Blossman Gas, Inc.

Throughout his career, Mark has been active in the propane motor fuel “Autogas” business promoting propane as a clean alternative fuel to gasoline. In the past 15 years, he has focused almost 100% of his time on promoting propane autogas as a clean, economical, domestically produced alternative to gasoline for fleets. His current responsibilities include account management for major autogas accounts as well as national major account sales and management.

Mark and his wife Kelly have been married for 45 years and they live in Spanish Fort, Alabama. They have three grown children and seven grandchildren.

Charlie Durand

Charlie Durand, based in Hammond, Louisiana, brings a wealth of experience to the landscape and agriculture industries. After a distinguished 36-year career with John Deere, where he held corporate positions, Charlie retired in 2020. He then transitioned into consultancy, leveraging his deep industry knowledge.

Currently, Charlie serves as an RCI Business Development Consultant and a PERC Consultant, specializing in the landscape and agriculture sectors. He is a recognized Subject Matter Expert in the landscape industry and value-focused selling. Notably, he successfully converted over 70% of his assigned John Deere’s corporate landscape customer mowing fleets to propane, demonstrating his expertise in implementing sustainable and cost-effective solutions.

Anders Thorsen

Anders Thorsen is a leader in the sustainable energy sector, with a career dedicated to advancing innovative solutions that promote environmental sustainability and energy efficiency. He currently plays a pivotal role at EC POWER Inc. as the CEO, a branch of the Danish company EC POWER A/S, where he focuses on pioneering and implementing Combined Heat and Power (CHP) systems in North America. These systems optimize energy usage by capturing waste heat during electricity generation, significantly reducing carbon emissions and fostering greener energy alternatives while burning Propane or Natural Gas at 93% efficiency.

Prior to his work at EC POWER Inc., he gained invaluable experience at Viridi Parente Inc., a Buffalo, NY-based company specializing in renewable and sustainable battery energy technologies. At Viridi Parente, he contributed to the sales of energy solutions aimed at transforming traditional energy systems into clean, efficient alternatives. Additionally, Anders played a significant role at Green Machine, a branch under Viridi, where he focused on deploying and selling innovative heavy-duty machinery converted to battery driven units, demonstrating his dedication to reducing environmental impact and maximizing resource utilization.

T.J. Johnson

With over 20 years in power generation, climate control, and site support equipment, T.J. Johnson has built Eco Power Equipment into an industry leader by combining innovation, sustainability, and a deep understanding of customer needs. As Founder and CEO, he drives the company’s design, manufacturing, and delivery of advanced solutions, from temporary power to climate control systems.

Starting as a distributor supplying rental companies across North America, T.J. gained hands-on expertise in sales, marketing, product development, and engineering—transforming Eco Power Equipment from a distribution venture into a leading manufacturer with operations in Canada and the U.S.

Under his leadership, Eco Power Equipment and its sister brand, Hybrid Light Solutions, have pioneered industry-leading technologies like propane power generation, offering a cleaner, more reliable alternative to diesel. By reducing emissions, lowering costs, and improving operational efficiency, the company has become a trusted partner for rental companies, contractors, and end users.

T.J. remains committed to driving sustainable innovation, ensuring customers receive cutting-edge power, climate control, and lighting solutions backed by world-class support and long-term value.

Jim Rushing

Jim has more than 25 years of propane industry experience, serving in various leadership positions that have involved acquisitions, large P&L operations management, project management, leading staff support teams and effectively implementing safety training, policies, and procedures. Before launching a successful business career, Jim served in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve where he was deployed to the first Gulf War as a Combat Engineer. Jim is a graduate of Southern Illinois University at Carbondale.

Gene Morrison

Gene Morrison is the Dispensing Systems Product Manager at Gas Equipment Company (GEC), where he oversees fabrication operations in Dallas, Houston, and Atlanta. In his role, Gene is responsible for scheduling, quality control, technical support, and inventory management. However, his top priority is working with customers on customized dispensing solutions from “inception to conception”. Gene helps to bring customer projects to life, while making sure every detail of a system fits the specifications and requirements of their application.

Starting with GEC in 2015, Gene’s career advanced rapidly from warehouse duties to customer service, where he gained valuable knowledge into product offerings and customer needs. Moving into the fabrication shop at GEC, his mechanical and construction background equipped him with the technical expertise to provide innovative solutions for complex projects. Gene now works with PERC and various partners, regularly attending industry events and championing the role of propane in the energy sector.

Through his creative thinking, dedication, and ability to solve problems Gene has helped grow GEC’s presence in the Autogas market. His leadership continues to drive the development and introduction of innovative products, including a recently debuted mobile fueling system, strengthening GEC’s position as a leader in propane dispensing systems.

James C. Green

James C. Green graduated from the University of Illinois with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics and a minor in Philosophy, followed by a law degree from Marquette University. His career spans over 30 years working in law firms and private sector manufacturing companies managing complex litigation and corporate matters on a domestic and international basis. Currently he serves as President & CEO of Axiom Energy Group headquartered in East Troy, Wisconsin.

Josh Budworth

Josh started his career as an ASE Master Technician. In 2008, he entered the propane industry setting tanks, selling, and delivering propane. In 2015, Josh joined Alliance AutoGas as an industry Specialist selling in the greater Chicago area. He is currently the Vice President of Business Development for Alliance AutoGas working with up-fitters, resellers, service centers, conversion centers, propane marketers, and is now tasked with introducing the Alliance AutoGas products to new national markets.

Dan Giampetroni

Dan Giampetroni is a strategic marketing leader in both B2C and B2B sectors, specializing in the energy and building industries through multiple channels – including the propane market. He currently serves as the Vice President of Power Solutions at Meritum Energy (PICO Propane), where he is responsible for driving the evolution of the company’s power solutions.

Prior experience at Kohler Co., Generac and Gridiron includes product development, market launches and channel development. Dan holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing & Communications from Michigan Technological University.

Jay Canada

Jay Canada is the Vice President of Sales & Engineering for Industrial-Irrigation Services (IIS) and their “Reliable Horsepower” brand of industrial spark-ignited engines. With over 20 years of experience in the industrial engine market ranging from production technician to leading the sales and engineering functions for a worldwide supplier of industrial engines Jay focuses on business development and building relationships to bring customized solutions to dealers and OEMs in the industrial engine market. Jay’s passion is helping customers ensure their own business success by utilizing engine packages that are specifically built for their needs and application – not just an off the shelf product. Jay owns and operates a small cattle-feeding operation and lives on a farm outside Hastings, NE with his wife Teresa and their two children Wesley and Caroline. Jay is an avid hunter and outdoorsman and is passionate about having the entire family involved in outdoor activities. Jay is also involved with many local organizations including church council, local chapters of hunting/conservation organizations as well as various other local activities.

Cary Welsh

Cary Welsh is a Senior Program Manager at TRC Companies, North America’s leading transportation consultancy, providing clients with funding and regulatory support to deploy advanced and clean transportation solutions. To date, TRC has secured more than $2 billion in incentives for their clients to deploy clean transportation vehicles and infrastructure. Over the past six years, Cary has worked with some of TRC’s leading OEMs, fleets, and public agency clients on clean fleet strategy and sustainability, market analysis, incentive research, grant applications, and project management. While at TRC, Cary has managed and contributed to over $350 million in grant applications for clean transportation projects, including zero and near-zero emission technology for on-road vehicles, off-road equipment, and infrastructure.

Jill Drury

Jill Drury has spent her career working in public service positions, spending 32 years in the Aging and Transit sectors of local government. Jill began her public transit career as the Transportation & Senior Service Coordinator for Newaygo County Commission on Aging in the early 1990’s. In 2011, she accepted the Director position at Charlevoix County Transit, a rural demand-response system in Northern Michigan. Under Jill’s direction, Charlevoix County Transit was the recipient of the 2018 Propane Autogas Fleet Award presented by PERC at BUSCON, was recognized nationally by multiple agencies for its service to the residents of Charlevoix County during the pandemic and was the recipient of the 2021 CTAA Rural Transit System of the Year award. After retiring in 2022, Jill’s passion for public transit led her to consulting contracts with the Propane Education and Research Council and MP2 Planning.

Mary Gaiski

Mary Gaiski has been with the Pennsylvania Manufactured Housing Association since 1986 serving in the positions of legislative assistant and vice president prior to being named Executive Vice President in 1994. Prior to that, Mary worked for 9 years with an insurance and finance company specializing in manufactured housing.

She currently sits on several state advisory committees covering such issues as housing, building codes, transportation and water/wastewater systems and is Secretary of the Motor Carrier Safety Advisory Committee, and Past Chair of the PA Housing Research Center at Penn State. She was honored by her peers with the State Executive of the Year award in 1999 and again in 2014 with a communications award.

Kevin Koch

Kevin Koch is the Director of North America of Operations for Robur Corporation. He leads a team of sales and technical professionals in the Evansville, IN Headquarters. His mission is to continue to provide Heating and Cooling to Commercial and Residential customers. At our facility in Evansville, ROBUR Corporation manufactures and distributes natural gas and propane operated heating, air conditioning and refrigeration systems that are highly energy efficient and have a low environmental impact.

Tony Ranallo

Tony Ranallo is a principal at BOILERSOURCE and the COO. Tony has been in the industry as a manufacturer’s representative since 1979 and with BOILERSOURCE since 1984. He is a past president of the Illinois Chapter of ASHRAE (2005-2006) and a member of AESP, ASPE, IDEA, and ABMA. Tony has presented multiple times for HESNI, ASPE, ASHRAE-IL, PHCC, SMACNA and numerous other organizations. He is a Trade Ally & regular presenter for Nicor, Peoples and North Shore Gas Energy Efficiency Programs and has hosted webinars about Gas Absorption Heat Pumps (GAHP) and mCHP (Micro Combined Heat and Power). Tony is a co-author of the patent: High Efficiency Closed-Loop Steam System. He is also on multiple manufacturer advisory groups.

Bill Moore

Bill Moore is the Sales Manager for Conger LP Gas, Inc., and has been in this role since 2018. He was the company’s Alternative Fuel Sales Manager beginning in 2011.
In his current position, Bill oversees sales operations and training, manages appliance selection and purchasing, and collaborates with the IT department to address service needs. He also plays a key role in maintaining strong relationships with area builders, implementing the Propane Education and Research Council Builder Program, and managing the Propane Education and Research Council Farm Incentive Program for agricultural producers.
Beyond his company responsibilities, Bill is actively engaged in industry leadership. He is a member of the Propane Education and Research Council Communications and Marketing Strategy working group, serves on the Clean Cities Georgia board, and contributes to the Southeast Propane Alliance Autogas Committee.
Before transitioning into the propane and alternative fuel sector, Bill gained valuable experience in media and construction. He served as the Advertising Manager for the Moultrie Observer newspaper and spent four years with Heartwood Homes as a Marketing and Construction Manager. There, he played a pivotal role in developing Tifton’s first planned community, overseeing the construction of 65 residential homes, six multi-family apartment buildings, and a commercial space.

Todd Mouw

Executive Vice President
ROUSH CleanTech

Todd Mouw is executive vice president of ROUSH CleanTech, the clean technology division of Roush Enterprises. Mouw has played a key role in taking the company from start up to a sustainable and profitable business with about 40,000-unit sales to Fortune 500 fleets, school districts and government fleets. Mouw drives the company’s teams for government affairs, customer success, marketing and national business development.

A recognized thought leader in the advanced clean transportation industry, he has traveled the nation speaking and has been featured in hundreds of media interviews and bylined articles. He is a recipient of the Green Fleet Sustainability All-Star Award and served as the former president of NTEA’s Green Truck Association. He is currently a Board member for NTEA.

Mouw’s decades of experience in the automotive and high-tech industries also include extensive sales and marketing experience with Ford, GM and Chrysler’s dealer, fleet and consumer communications programs.