Propane industry welcomes 2025 LP Gas Hall of Fame class

On Thursday evening, the LP Gas Hall of Fame honored four new members during dinner and a ceremony held at the JW Marriott in downtown Charlotte, North Carolina.

The Class of 2025 includes:

• Tom Knauff, EDP
• Rita Pecilunas, Otodata
• Walter Smith, Smith Pumps and Full-Circle
• Ken Taylor, White Mountain Oil & Propane

For the fourth year in a row, nearly 200 attendees joined the propane industry celebration, which is held on the eve of the National Propane Gas Association’s (NPGA) Southeastern & International Propane Expo.

LP Gas Publisher Brian Kanaba and Editor-in-Chief Brian Richesson emceed the ceremony, honoring the 12th class of inductees.

When it came time to honor Taylor, there was a surprise for the audience and for Taylor: a special video message from Taylor’s stepdaughter congratulating him on his induction.

This year’s class joins 53 inductees whom LP Gas magazine has honored since the event launched more than 10 years ago. Among these inductees is Mike Walters, who, after his induction into the Hall of Fame in 2024, invested in a custom license plate to proudly display his accomplishment: “LPG HOF.” LP Gas showed a photo of the license plate during Thursday’s ceremony.

“If you’re driving around Cleveland, there’s a chance that you’ll see Walters’ license plate on the truck in front of you,” said Richesson, as he recognized past Hall of Fame inductees in the audience.

LP Gas launched the Hall of Fame in 2012 as a way to honor the industry’s legends, icons and leaders, who are chosen by an anonymous selection committee composed of different segments of the propane industry. The committee receives nominations throughout the year. The event serves as a propane industry celebration of past and present leaders, who gather on the eve of the NPGA Southeastern & International Propane Expo.

Nominations are now open for the next class of the Hall of Fame. Visit lpgashalloffame.com.