Mike Hopsicker named chair of NPGA board

Mike Hopsicker used baseball terminology to signal the opportunities for propane under a new presidential administration – only fitting considering he played baseball at Cornell University in the 1980s.

Upon being named the next chair of the National Propane Gas Association (NPGA), the president and CEO of Ray Murray Inc. (RMI) shared his early life experiences, education and career path that led to his latest professional highlight. Varsity baseball, including two years as a catcher and utility player, was among those pursuits.

“It’s time to swing for the fences,” Hopsicker said at NPGA’s mid-year board of directors meeting in Washington, D.C., conveying a clearer path forward with U.S. energy policy compared to the previous four years.

“With the new administration, we have a much more favorable environment. The timing is right to unleash American energy,” he added. “While propane is relatively small in the energy landscape, we all know it’s one of the best and most versatile energy solutions available. Now is the time to make that story known.”

Hopsicker, who replaced Tom Van Buren of Pico Propane and Fuels as chairman, spoke one day before propane industry members went to Capitol Hill for meetings with their elected officials as part of NPGA’s annual Propane Days lobbying event. The June meetings offer a platform for industry members to promote propane and support propane-favorable policies.

“To protect our industry, we need to try to enact policies that are sustainable in the future and that can transcend any administration,” Hopsicker said. “While we are swinging for the fences, we also need to grab our share of singles and doubles. A balanced approach to energy makes the most sense in the long run. We need to find those opportunities to position propane for the long run, no matter who’s in the White House.”

Hopsicker, the former president of large oil and propane marketer Agway Energy Products, realizes challenges remain, with state and municipal governments still waging attacks on fossil fuels and the industry needing to avoid complacency.

“That’s why it’s so important to garner support for energy choice legislation,” he said, referring to one of the key issues at this year’s Propane Days event. “While the political environment at the federal level is favorable now, we know it can change in four years or at some point in the future.”

To embrace its future, Hopsicker said, the industry must not forget its past – when cooking appliances helped to build business. The industry also must continue to protect that business while pursuing other opportunities in markets like autogas, power generation and energy backup applications.

“All marketers big and small need to embrace these emerging markets for propane,” he said. “Find some way to participate; you don’t know where it’s going to lead.”

Because, Hopsicker said, the more customers who use propane, the more they will want to protect it.

In addition to Hopsicker, the other officers elected for 2025-26 were DD Alexander of Global Gas as chair elect, Trent Hampton of Lakes Gas as vice chair and Chad Kroening of Boehlke Bottled Gas as treasurer.

Upon relinquishing the position, Van Buren said of Hopsicker, “His depth of experience on the marketing side and what he does now with Ray Murray is very unique. The way he challenges the status quo is nothing but good for us and the industry.”