New NPGA officers installed at mid-year board meeting

Gary France, owner of Wisconsin-based France Propane Service, was sworn in as the next chairman of the board of the National Propane Gas Association (NPGA) during the mid-year meeting June 17 in Washington, D.C.

The meeting came ahead of Propane Days, the industry’s lobbying event.

In his initial speech as chairman, France cited family, faith and the propane industry as most important to him. He talked about a changing industry, with fewer people working in propane and higher costs for equipment. The industry must find ways to be more productive, efficient and innovative, and “not let government get in our way,” he said.

France plans to focus in the coming months on helping to implement NPGA’s new industry growth initiative, Vision 2014.

In addition to France, who replaced Ray Murray as chairman, three other 2013-14 officers were sworn in: David Lugar, chairman-elect, of AmeriGas; Charlie Ory, vice chairman, of Aero Propane; and Stuart Weidie, treasurer, of Blossman Gas.

More coverage of the board meeting and Propane Days will appear in the July issue of LP Gas.

Pictured above, from left, are new NPGA officers Stuart Weidie of Blossman Gas (treasurer), Gary France of France Propane Service (chairman), Ray Murray of Ray Murray Inc. (outgoing chairman), Charlie Ory of Aero Propane (vice chairman) and David Lugar of AmeriGas (chairman-elect). Photo courtesy of NPGA.