2026 LP Gas Rising Leader: Johnny Thomas

Johnny Thomas

Company: Energy Partners Propane / Missoula, Montana

Job title: Regional energy manager

Years in the propane industry: 9

How did you get your start in the propane industry?

I spent about six years as a welder/fabricator before moving to a more rural area in western Montana. Since the area offered limited opportunities in welding, I earned my CDL and was hired as a propane delivery driver with Energy Partners Propane. Working outdoors, learning a new region and building relationships within the community quickly revealed that this was the best career change I could have made.

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

Although I was hired as a delivery driver, it didn’t take long to see that leadership at our company means being willing to wear multiple hats and doing whatever it takes to ensure our customers are consistently well served. In my current role, I focus on communication, education and alignment – both within our team and with our customers. The more understanding our employees have about propane operations, company goals and expectations, the more effective and unified we can be in serving our communities. I also work to help strategize, coordinate operations and ensure the team has the tools and resources needed to operate as smoothly and efficiently as possible.

How can the propane industry ensure its long-term success and remain a viable energy source into the future?

Success starts with investing in our people. That includes not only technical training but education around the capabilities and value of propane – locally, nationally and globally. The more informed and knowledgeable we are as an industry, the better equipped we are to promote propane as the reliable, clean energy resource that it is. This is especially important as we reach younger generations who will become our future employees and customers. Education, advocacy and engagement are key to ensuring pro-pane remains a strong and viable energy option well into the future.

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

My generation has grown up alongside rapid technological advancement, which gives us a unique perspective and comfort level with new tools and systems. I grew up listening to cassette tapes in my dad’s ’76 Ford, and since then, we’ve experienced the rise of the internet, smartphones and social media firsthand. That background may have made us more tech savvy and adaptable, allowing us to embrace game-changing technologies that improve efficiency, reduce costs and keep propane affordable for consumers. While many core tools and practices in our industry haven’t changed in decades, we recognize how powerful technology can be when applied thoughtfully. That mindset might make us more open to innovation and focused on finding ways to work smarter, not harder.

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

Maintaining communication and operational visibility is critical. Our company has made significant investments in industry technology, allowing me to monitor operations from my laptop or iPhone virtually anywhere. I can review tank monitors, delivery routes, account aging, service schedules and customer communications in real time. Operating in a mountainous region presents coverage challenges, but with satellite tank monitors and satellite cellular coverage, we’re able to maintain connectivity across roughly 90 percent of our service area. This ensures that customers are never left unreachable when it comes to tank monitoring and service needs. Additionally, our transition to the Cargas routing and management system has greatly enhanced visibility across routing, service, accounting and customer data. With drivers and service technicians able to take pictures of tank sets, gas piping, appliance installations and job-site details directly from tablets in the field, I’m able to stay fully informed without needing to be physically present at every location. This level of visibility has significantly improved efficiency and coordination across our operations.

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

I am a member of the National Propane Gas Association and the Rocky Mountain Propane Association.

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

Energy Partners Propane is an exceptional company with an outstanding team. I’ve been incredibly fortunate to work alongside such great mentors and coworkers who have supported my growth and shared their knowledge – not just about the propane industry but about leadership, business and service. I’m proud of the company that I work for and the industry that I work in.