2021 LP Gas Rising Leader: Matthew Meehan

February 16, 2021 By    

The essentials: Age 39; senior vice president of Mirabito Energy Products in Binghamton, New York

Headshot: Matt Meehan

Meehan

Years in the propane industry: 17

How did you get your start in the propane industry? After completing my B.S. at LeMoyne College, I connected with a fellow alumni, Joe Mirabito, CEO of Mirabito Energy Products, and began my career in the energy industry. As I moved up in the company, I became more and more involved in the propane side of our business. In my current position, I have focused on and implemented the expansion of the propane segment of our business, both geographically and the scale of it.

What is your vision for growing your company, and how can you achieve that vision? My vision for growing our propane business is, first and foremost, to continue to provide safe and exceptional service to our current customers. As far as growth is concerned, I believe educating the consumer about the benefits and versatility propane offers is key.

How can the propane industry prosper in the coming years? With the current trends and global push toward a net-zero carbon society, the propane industry needs to continue to develop renewable options for consumers. While propane is clean and domestic, it is not currently a renewable resource. We need a place at the table when discussions are being had about climate action plans into the future.

What does your generation offer to the propane industry that previous generations did not? Our generation offers broader distribution-and-use ideas for propane. We have introduced and pushed it as a viable way to power an entire home, not just a grill. It has even been introduced as a transportation fuel. We have come a long way with consumer education when it comes to the safety and multi-use benefits associated with propane versus other fuel sources.

Mirabito Energy Products utilizes a sophisticated, centralized dispatch model coupled with in-truck technology. Photo courtesy of Mirabito Energy Products

Mirabito Energy Products utilizes a sophisticated, centralized dispatch model coupled with in-truck technology. Photo courtesy of Mirabito Energy Products

What specific technologies are you using (or plan to use) to support business operations? From a distribution standpoint, we utilize a sophisticated, centralized dispatch model coupled with in-truck technology that allows for real-time adjustments. This allows our process to be as efficient as possible. In the near future, our installation team will migrate toward a more automated process, especially as it relates to safety system checks upon initial installations. Lastly, as we upgrade and expand our own fleet of service vehicles, we are purchasing them and/or converting them to propane autogas.

What propane industry associations are you involved with at the state and/or national level? New York Propane Gas Association – first vice president (executive board member) and chairman of the marketing committee; New York Propane Education & Research Council board member

Is there anything else you’d like to tell us about yourself, your company and/or the propane industry? I am fortunate that we are a family-owned and -operated business, which has allowed us to utilize capital as needed to expand when we saw the opportunity to do so. I am also surrounded by and work with extremely talented and knowledgeable people. The growth and safety standards we have been able to achieve is because of teamwork and dedication to our business by everyone in our organization.

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