Propane Personality: Ed Varney

Ed Varney

CEO, Top Line Management

Education

Rosemont College

Master of Business Administration in International Business

Berklee College of Music

Bachelor of Arts in Music

Work Experience

2022-Present

Top Line Management

• CEO

2019-22

RegO

• Director of Business Development, North America

2016-18

Honeywell

• Senior Sales Leader, Gas Services, Americas

2013-16

Emerson Process Management

• Regional Sales Manager, Eastern U.S.

2010-12

Heritage Propane

• Vice President, National Account Marketing

2005-10

Emerson Process Management/Fisher

• Director of Sales, LP Regulators, Americas

1989-2002

Petrolane/AmeriGas

• Director of Sales/National Accounts

• Residential Sales

Propane start

Varney’s first job in the propane industry came in 1989 with retailer Petrolane. The Boston native worked in residential sales in Londonderry, New Hampshire. He sold appliances, set tanks and brought in new customers. AmeriGas acquired Petrolane in 1993, and Varney ascended into larger sales roles. He’s spent more than 35 years in the gas industry, including about seven in natural gas. “I’ve had a long career in propane, and it’s been good to me,” he says. “I’ve made some lifelong friends in the propane industry. So I’d like to stay in it.”

Latest venture

Varney is the owner of Top Line Management, a sales consulting firm based in McKinney, Texas. “We’re doing sales management; we’re helping people grow their businesses; we do a lot of sales training, consulting with companies of all sizes on how to structure their sales force,” he says. “We’re doing event planning now.” Varney says he looks forward to expanding the business this year.

A love of music

Music has been a lifelong passion of Varney’s. He says his mother and grandfather were also passionate about music. He recalls visiting his great grandmother and being “mesmerized” by her shiny, black piano with which he played as a young boy growing up in Boston. “I was interested ever since,” he says. Varney learned to play the saxophone at 9 years old. He attended Berklee College of Music in Boston and became a professional musician. He played with local bands in the Boston area and played and wrote music for commercials. He plays the saxophone, flute, clarinet and, more recently, bass guitar.

His biggest stage yet

Varney has played the national anthem on his saxophone at a couple dozen sporting events across the country. None was bigger than when he played for about 75,000 fans at the Cotton Bowl national semifinal between Ohio State and Texas in January. More than 20 million watched on ESPN. “The experience was awesome; it was an honor,” he says. “I do this because I feel it’s part of my patriotic duty, and I really support the veterans. When I see a veteran with tears in their eyes and they thank me, that’s the only reward I need because they feel appreciated.”

Prostate cancer awareness

Varney was the driving force behind Pros4Care, an organization that raises awareness about the risks and prevention of prostate cancer. The nonprofit also helps patients find the care and support they need. The group will hold its 17th charity golf event on Sept. 8 in the Dallas area. The event has raised more than $300,000 since its inception.

Hobbies

In addition to music, Varney enjoys golfing and spending time with his family, including his eight grandkids, ages 2 to 16. He’s also involved with his church and resides in McKinney, Texas, with his wife, Brooke.