2024 LP Gas Rising Leader: Kyle BaRoss

Company: Quality Propane / Madison, Connecticut

Job title: HVAC technician

Years in the propane industry: 3½

How did you get your start in the propane industry?

I got started in the propane industry right out of high school. After graduating, I went to trade school for HVAC, where I learned so much about the propane industry and the basics of being an HVAC technician. Once finishing school, I was fortunate to get the opportunity to be an apprentice at Quality Propane. Here I learned the skills and knowledge that I currently use in my work every day.

How do you help lead your company in your current role?

I lead Quality Propane in my current role by being a helping hand to my co-workers. We depend on each other to solve problems and get the job done every day. I also lead by representation where I help to teach the new apprentices everything I have learned.

What change would you like to see to the propane industry to ensure its success?

A change I would like to see in the propane industry is more people being informed about this workspace. In my opinion, not many kids in high school are aware that they can go to trade school and think that the only option is going to college. While you can do both, the industry would see greater success if more of the younger population is engaged.

What does your generation offer to the propane industry that previous generations did not?

My generation offers a better understanding of the technologies and tools that are available to increase efficiency. As a technician, I rely on technology every day – whether it is using my GPS to go from job to job or helping a co-worker solve a problem by looking at a picture of the unit he is on while we are on the phone. My generation also offers the ability to adapt to change. It’s important to be able to adapt to new methods, units and even parts so that the propane industry can continue to succeed.

What specific technologies are you using (or plan to use) to support business operations?

Quality Propane has an on-call service that responds to after-hours customers; 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The on-call service is then able to contact the technician who is responsible for the after-hour period. They can reach out directly to the technician by their cellphone, which gives them an overview of the customer’s issue and then provides them with an address and phone number. This supports our business operations by always being available to our customers no matter the time of day and even on holidays.

What propane industry associations are you involved with at the state and/or national level?

I am not currently involved with any associations but look forward to joining in the future as I continue my career in the propane industry.

Is there anything else you’d like to tell us about yourself, your company and/or the propane industry?

Quality Propane is a family-owned company that has been in business for 34 years. It continues to be a reliable option for the residents of Connecticut and Rhode Island for all of their propane needs.