Propane Personality: Charmin Heimel

Charmin Heimel

Sales Executive, Colorado Propane Marketing

WORK & INDUSTRY EXPERIENCE

April 2017-Present

Colorado Propane Marketing
Sales Executive

March 2001-October 2016

Plains Marketing LP
Sales Marketer

January 1998-December 2014

The Gas Equipment Locator
Co-owner

Growing up in propane

Heimel practically grew up in the propane industry. She witnessed her father, Leon Fancher, dedicate his 45-year career to it. Inspired by what she learned as a child and teenager, she decided to create a business with him.

Known as The Gas Equipment Locator, the company brokered used LP tanks, bobtails and trailers for 16 years until Fancher passed away in 2014. In honor of her father, Heimel eventually accepted a role with Colorado Propane Marketing, where she remains to this day.

The significance of safety

With nearly 30 years of experience in the propane industry, Heimel knows how vital safety is. A volunteer organizer for the Colorado Propane Gas Association’s (CPGA) Colorado Propane Fire Training since 2008, she has helped establish a one-day training, which the association hosts four times annually.

“In Colorado, fire protection districts don’t have a statewide fire marshal, as each county’s fire marshal is the sheriff instead. As a result, the districts don’t receive any propane fire training funding from the state.”

With this in mind, the Colorado Propane Fire Training team typically offers training each fall and spring. Every training opportunity is funded by the CPGA, via funding from the Propane Education & Research Council.

Fire safety

To train as many Colorado-based companies about propane fire safety as possible, the Colorado Propane Fire Training program schedules its training events at four different locations every year. Fire departments and their local propane dealers host their respective event together. State patrol officers, towing companies and hazmat groups are invited to attend as well.

“We have a 500-gallon propane tank, which we use as a prop to showcase valve and piping propane release to participants. Our goal is for them to access their potential propane fire situations with an attack plan, based on our training. Additionally, participants will receive a certificate of completion and propane education materials.”

A surreal honor

Heimel was honored with the National Propane Gas Association (NPGA) Safety Award for her propane fire safety initiatives. She believes the honor was a direct result of her hard work, persistence and dedication to Colorado-based companies’ safety.

“It was surreal. This award goes to our entire team who has worked very hard to make the Colorado Propane Fire Training program what it is today. Because of our team, the program’s future is bright.”

Creating a path for women

Heimel learned she’s the first female to receive the NPGA Safety Award, presented earlier this year.

“I’m very honored. It’s beyond amazing to be the first woman to earn this prestigious award.”

Looking ahead to the future, she is hopeful the award will lead to many more milestones for the propane industry’s female professionals.

“I want to set a path for more females to become involved with the industry and earn similar awards.”

Hobbies

When Heimel isn’t working at Colorado Propane Marketing or volunteering for the Colorado Propane Fire Training program, she often can be found enjoying numerous outdoor activities.

“I’m also a mother to three beautiful daughters, one of whom is still at home. In addition, my 85-year-old mother lives with me. We spend a lot of priceless time together.”