Gardner Marsh’s Steve Ward set to retire this year

November 5, 2024 By    

After 42 years of service to the gas industry, Steve Ward, technical products specialist at Gardner Marsh, will retire Dec. 31.

Ward
Ward

“Steve’s loyal, long-standing employment at Gardner Marsh has provided the company and its customers with knowledge, expertise and leadership that have been transformative,” the equipment distributor says in a news release. “Those that know him will remember him as a hardworking, committed, knowledgeable adviser. His presence will be greatly missed, but we are excited for what the future has in store for him.”

Ward began his career in the propane industry in 1973 after graduating from Eastern Carolina University with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree. He worked for Suburban Propane as a service helper on its 100-pound cylinder route. He spent eight years at Pyrofax Gas, where he worked his way from manager trainee to branch manager in Raleigh, North Carolina, to regional manager of North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. In 1982, he was hired by Dale and Charlie Gardner to be the territory manager working out of Richmond, Virginia, covering Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia and northern North Carolina. Five years later, he moved to Raleigh and began working in the office.

Over the course of his 42 years at Gardner Marsh, Ward has been responsible for national accounts development, bulk and industrial plant construction, product development and technical products applications and sales.

Ward says assisting with the design of large projects and helping customers to solve their most intricate problems has been his favorite part of the job.

In addition to his company roles, Ward has served the National Propane Gas Association and its Technology, Standards and Safety Committee as well as the Propane Education & Research Council. In Virginia, he has been on the Safety and Education Committee and was honored to receive the Virginia Propane Gas Association Safety and Education Award. In North Carolina, he’s been a member of the North Carolina Propane Gas Association (NCPGA) Safety and Education Committee as well the Autogas and Technology Committee. He was honored as the 2012 NCPGA Supplier of the Year. As a Southeast Propane Alliance member, he’s continued his work with safety and education as well as being instrumental in developing its technical education center and serving on the advisory council.

Ward is a trusted technical expert in the national propane industry and is called upon often to assist with developing and writing industry codes and standards, Gardner Marsh says. In navigating through his career in the gas industry, he always sought to break down complicated information and make it understandable.

In retirement, Ward plans to continue with his hobbies: gardening, volunteering and traveling with his wife, Linda, to whom he’s been married for 50 years. They share two children – Wes and Amanda – and enjoy spending time with their grandkids – Taylor, Will, Cameron and Noah.

Ward says he’s thankful for the personal relationships he’s made with those across the country in the propane and natural gas industries.

About the Author:

Brian Richesson is the editor in chief of LP Gas Magazine. Contact him at brichesson@northcoastmedia.net or 216-706-3748.

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