Officers installed at NPGA mid-year board meeting

Charlie Ory, owner-operator of Family Propane, was sworn in as the next chairman of the board of the National Propane Gas Association (NPGA) during the mid-year meeting June 8 in Washington, D.C.

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

In his initial speech as chairman, Ory says natural gas expansion is one threat he anticipates having to address as chairman over the next 12 months.

“As always we have a few challenges on the horizon, [with] natural gas expansion probably being the biggest challenge facing us,” Ory says. “Some state lawmakers want to promote legislation that would promote natural gas legislation at the expense of all the rest of us.

“Expansion is not going to be regulated here in Washington, D.C.,” Ory adds. “It’s going to be in all 50 states.”

Also, Ory says a goal he has as NPGA chairman is to recruit young people into leadership positions within the industry.

“The future of our industry is really going to rest on the next generation of leaders,” Ory says.

In addition to Ory, who replaces AmeriGas‘ David Lugar as chairman, three other 2015-16 officers were sworn in: Stuart Weidie, chairman-elect, of Blossman Gas; Jerry Brick, vice chairman, of North Star Energy; and Chris Earhart, treasurer, of Dixie Gas & Oil Corp.