Meaningful words from propane retailer attendees at the 2025 LP Gas Growth Summit

October 12, 2025 By Brian Richesson 0 Comments

Photo: LP Gas staff — Photo by *LP Gas* staff

Education and inspiration. I discovered again that you can get both from listening to propane retailers.

Perhaps there’s no better example than our annual LP Gas Growth Summit, which takes place every September at Reunion Resort, outside Orlando, Florida.

The Growth Summit is designed for retailers and industry partners to learn from one another through business meetings as well as educational and networking events. But in our facilitation of this event, we walk away with something valuable of our own. There’s something special about being so close to industry leaders who are engaged in meaningful discussions about bettering their businesses and the industry.

We also get to ask our own questions of the attendees along the way – for our event program prior to the summit, in video interviews and during our panel discussion. Here’s just some of what we gathered from our attendees this year – words of wisdom and inspiration.

Educated by Chris Caywood of Caywood Propane Gas, with several locations in Michigan. Our Retailer Technology columnist, Caywood is one of the most tech-savvy and forward-thinking retailers I’ve met in the industry. He knows the value of technology for a business, and he’s been implementing artificial intelligence tools as well. “We adopted technology quickly out of necessity,” he says, “and we’re at the point now where we’re starting to see it as a real customer service and customer experience tool.”
Inspired by Josh Schmoll of Mountain View Propane in New Mexico: “Don’t rely on others for your future success,” shares the 2019 LP Gas Rising Leader. “If you have an opportunity to follow your dreams, take it. The biggest risk in life is not taking any risk. Life is short, so have no regrets.”
Educated by Steve Miller of American Distributing Co. in Washington state. His company has evolved throughout its 100 years – from a fuel supplier for tugboats and an ice supplier for fishing boats to supplying gasoline and lubricants for the transportation industry. On the home heating side, it’s transitioned from heating oil to propane. “Propane has become the new face for the next 100 years,” he says, noting challenges like electrification exist in the Northwest, leading the company to expand its footprint and continue to diversify.
Inspired by Sean Daugherty of Reliable Energy Partners: “Do one thing today that makes you better than you were yesterday.” The propane industry veteran has started a new propane platform and is looking for ways to take a step forward with it every day. “I think of growth in two different ways: It’s not only adding new business and new volume, but it’s adding profitable ways to be more productive and efficient as well.”
Educated (and inspired) by Mike Dodd of Propane Ninja, who has put “a lot of blood, sweat and tears” into a Florida business that he started with Peter Samuelson 12 years ago. They have grown the business from scratch to where they now have about 65 employees, 30 trucks and thousands of customers served since the start. What began as a cylinder exchange business has grown into a full-service propane company. Notably, this year, it’s fortified its infrastructure – 84,000 gallons of new storage and now 114,000 gallons total – in the wake of recent hurricanes.
Inspired by Ryan Brewer of Scott Petroleum in Mississippi: “Whether it’s family, friends or strangers, treat people with respect, show up for them and do right by them. That mindset has shaped how I lead, how I serve and how I try to show up every day.”