2025 LP Gas Rising Leader: Tyler Kelly

Tyler Kelly

Company: CHS Inc. / Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota

Job title: Director of trading

Years in propane industry: 11

How did you get your start in the propane industry?

I started with CHS in March of 2014, just as the infamous polar vortex was wrapping up. My first roles were merchandising our propane rail shortly after the Cochin pipeline was reversed and building out our trading analytics capabilities. My next roles included handling our hub trading and leading our supply and logistics team.

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

I have been very fortunate to have many great mentors both at CHS and across the industry willing to impart some wisdom as our industry continues to evolve. In my current role, I oversee our trading team, with the privilege of leading a great team of traders and logistics experts responsible for managing the price and positional risk associated with our wholesale business, which extends across the country. Our team handles the propane and other NGL rail and hub supply/trading to ensure we are positioned with the product our customers need. Our primary focus is supporting our sales team’s efforts to secure supply – whether it be rail, pipeline, direct from producer or other third-party facilities.

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

Continue to loudly share the great story of propane – as a versatile, clean and abundant fuel. Leaning into new demand outlets such as growing the autogas market and power generation are other ways that will continue to extend the industry’s reach to new and untapped markets. Casting a wide net for the sake of recruitment efforts is also necessary. The propane industry may be small compared to some, but it is mighty and offers diverse and fulfilling career paths for the next generation – we just need to ensure the word gets out.

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

Willingness to adopt new technologies, embrace uncertain times and a continuous improvement mindset are a few of the traits I believe my generation brings to the table. The advent of AI/BI (artificial intelligence/business intelligence) will continue to influence the way the world does business – from growth prospecting to optimizing your supply chain. Being open to new approaches for tackling old problems is a critical skill the younger generations tend to handle well.

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

CHS has heavily invested in customer portal technology to enable supply planning and nominating based on historical demand patterns. This information helps provide data necessary to make supply procurement decisions based on our customers contracting and supply planning submissions. Through our Propane Control Room, customers can view market and terminal prices, manage contracts and assign manifests. My team also utilizes rail logistics planning tools to ensure our fleet of rail cars reach customers as efficiently as possible.

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

I served on the NPGA (National Propane Gas Association) Supply & Logistics Committee and producers and wholesalers section from 2020 to 2024.