How are you mentoring the next generation of leaders?

March 30, 2025 By LP Gas

How are you mentoring the next generation of leaders?

Answers from the LPG Editorial Advisory Board:

“PGANE recently started a Next Gen program to encourage mentoring within our association leadership. It is so critical to get our members to bring their up-and-coming younger leaders to association events, and it is a win-win for both members and employees. Personally, I am a member of Women in Propane and believe strongly in the importance of giving back to the next generation. I highly recommend ‘Through the leadership lens’ as one of the best podcasts about leadership in our industry!”

– Leslie Anderson, president and CEO, Propane Gas Association of New England, Portland, Maine

Johnson

“I always encourage newcomers to the industry to join an NPGA council or committee. At the start of my career, I joined the Women in Propane Council and found a mentor through their Knowledge Exchange program. Here, industry veterans can share expertise and experience with the next generation of leaders. This can be a rewarding experience for both the mentor and mentee.”

– Jessica Johnson, manager, political action committee, National Propane Gas Association, Asheville, North Carolina

“I am mentoring the next generation by making myself available. That may mean through a phone call, text or keeping an open-door policy. Another way is by exposing my people to new people who will challenge their way of thinking.”

– Dan Richardson, president and CEO, Conger LP Gas, Tifton, Georgia

“Mentoring the next generation of leaders means igniting the spark of self-belief and resilience. I believe in teaching aspiring leaders to embrace their unique strengths, turn challenges into opportunities and lead with purpose. Every conversation is a chance to build confidence and an opportunity to reassure them that mistakes are steppingstones to growth.”

– Christina Armentano, executive vice president and COO, Paraco Gas, Rye Brooke, New York

Photo of Michelle Bimson Maggi — Bimson Maggi

“We train our next generation of leaders through Ferrellgas’ Management Development Program. Building bench strength is a top priority, and this is one of the ways Ferrellgas ensures our future leaders have the tools they need to succeed.”

– Michelle Bimson Maggi, vice president corporate affairs, Ferrellgas, Liberty, Missouri

“We host monthly webinars for anyone in the propane industry to learn from. The topics covered range from hedging strategies, current market data and trends, and inventory and import-export analysis. We have realized that the next generation of leaders is hungry to learn, but there is a lack of information for them to learn from, so we are making ourselves available on the monthly basis.”

– Dustin Delay, vice president, Cost Management Solutions, Houston, Texas

“I think it’s incumbent upon the veterans of the industry to pass that knowledge down to the younger generations. It’s that simple.”

– Mike Walters, vice president, safety and fleet, Superior Energy Systems, Columbia Station, Ohio

“As I wrap up more than 30 years in propane, I’m focused on sharing both the how and the why with our newest team member. From software and safety to how sales, billing and operations connect, she’s learning not just the process but the bigger picture. Through hands-on training and ride-alongs, she’s gaining real-world experience. Mentorship isn’t just about filling a role; it’s about passing on hard-learned lessons so the next generation can tackle new challenges ahead without retracing old missteps.”

– Dennis Halverson, propane product manager, Christen s en Inc., Richland, Washington

Jaenicke

“For those I come in frequent contact with, I share and relate my past experiences to present-day challenges in life and the propane workplace. Safety, teamwork, customer satisfaction and business success, in that order, are my mentoring priorities.”

– Tom Jaenicke, propane specialist, ATomiK Creative Solutions, Charlevoix, Michigan

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