Propane Personality: Kirsten McAlpin

Kirsten McAlpin

Director of Marketing and Public Relations, Conger LP Gas

Education

Columbus State University

Bachelor of Arts in Communication

West Virginia University

Master of Science in Integrated Marketing Communications

Liberty University

Ph.D. in Communication (Currently enrolled)

Work Experience

November 2021-Present

Conger LP Gas

Director of Marketing and Public Relations

June 2018-February 2020

Conger LP Gas

Communications Director

Trying something new

In June 2018, Conger LP Gas was seeking a communications director. At the time, McAlpin wanted “to try something new.” After having a great conversation with President and CEO Dan Richardson, she quickly decided to join the team.

Two stints at Conger LP Gas

McAlpin served as Conger LP Gas’ communications director for nearly two years before leaving in early 2020 to become the marketing and public relations manager for the city of Tifton, Georgia. After she left Conger, she remained in touch with Richardson.

“When Dan asked if I was ready to come home, I didn’t have to think much about it. Conger LP Gas truly is home.”

Shifting to a new role

In November 2021, McAlpin began serving Conger LP Gas as the director of marketing and public relations, a role she’s held ever since. In this position, she creates and manages content for Conger’s online presence, coordinates events, and designs and produces advertisements. She also writes and distributes press releases and oversees strategic media planning and buying.

“I’m most proud of being the brand ambassador, supporting local events on behalf of the company every week and being the head storyteller – with the privilege of sharing Conger LP Gas and its products and employees with the world.”

A passion for music

Formerly a country music singer and songwriter, McAlpin even had a band that performed throughout the Southeast. Although she didn’t become a star musician, her passion for music led to other opportunities, as she served as a radio personality on Southern radio stations instead.

After a six-year break, she was asked to return to the airwaves in June 2024 to host a show on Albany, Georgia’s B100 WOBB.

“Radio is a big love of my life. I have loved being back on the radio and sharing country music news with my listeners.”

A unique marketing perspective

A creative person, McAlpin believes her past careers in music and radio led to her “unique perspective on marketing and public relations.” In particular, she’s confident in front of an audience and a camera. She also analyzes promotion ideas as “someone from the general public” and always tries to “think about what is important to them.”

Maintaining an online presence

McAlpin strives to ensure Conger LP Gas is “as present as possible in the public and online.” To do so, she consistently highlights the company’s community involvement, customers and employees on social media. Due to her initiatives, she was honored with the Social Media Wizard Award by the Southeast Propane Alliance (SEPA) in 2024.

Reaching new customers

In McAlpin’s opinion, Conger LP Gas’ coolest initiative is its demonstration kitchen, located at its Tifton headquarters.

“Since creating the kitchen in 2018, thousands of people have attended our events. They likely would have never stepped foot in our office otherwise, but now they’ve been exposed to our brand and what we offer.”

Serving Women in Propane

Currently, McAlpin serves on Women in Propane’s communications and marketing committee. She’s also a Women in Propane ambassador to SEPA and works on the marketing team for Women in Propane’s “Through the Leadership Lens” podcast.

Preparing for the future

On July 25, McAlpin is expecting to have her first child, Kerrigan Grace McAlpin. Between preparing for Kerrigan, working at Conger LP Gas, hosting a radio show, serving as an adjunct marketing professor at West Virginia University and completing her Ph.D. studies, she is very busy.

“I genuinely wouldn’t have it any other way. I’m a dreamer and always strive to take on the next goal.”

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