Remembering Mike - North Carolina Propane Gas Association

NCPGA
NEWS
June 2012
| A Monthly Publication of the NC Propane Gas Association
Michael S. Boggs
1956 - 2012
Remembering Mike
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The North Carolina
Propane Gas News
John R. Jessup, Executive Director
Brenda Cole, Office Manager
Jon Carr, Lobbyist, Legal Counsel
Ph. 919-787-8485 ● Fx. 919-781-7481
Officers
David Parker...................................................President
Tim Rice................................................President-Elect
Ken Dye.................................................Vice President
David Briles...................................................Secretary
Cyndi Kibler...................................................Treasurer
Amy Jordan Dean.................Immediate Past President
District Directors
District 2. Mike Fox....................................Waynesville
District 3. Greg Eanes..................................Greensboro
District 4. Keith Barker...................................Charlotte
District 5. Billy Foust........................................Mebane
District 6. Don Worsley, II.................................Sanford
District 7. Alex Jernigan................................Smithfield
District 8. Jo Ann Jezard..........................Elizabeth City
District 9. F. Ray Moore..............................Washington
Committee Chairs
Advisory Board.................................Amy Jordan Dean
Convention..................................................Angi Harris
Education/Safety..................................Donald Godfrey
Finance..................................................George Lipford
Governmental Affairs.................................Jeff Ruffner
Membership Services...........................Doug Lawrence
NC Young Gassers...............................Don Worsley, II
Promotion & Public Relations......Colin Wood-Bradley
Publication.................................................Mike Groom
Technologies/Innovations..................Armistead Mauck
Suppliers.................................................Christian Rich
Notice
As the official publication of the NC Propane Gas
Association, the NC Propane Gas News carries authentic
notice pertaining to the activities of the Association. In
other respects, statements of fact and opinion are made
on the responsibility of the authors and contributing
writers alone, and do not imply an opinion on the part of
the Board of Directors, the Officers, or the Membership.
June 2012
Advertisers
Apache LP-Gas Trucks, Inc..................................23
Apex Propane..........................................................5
Bergquist, Inc........................................................18
Best & Langston...........................back outside cover
Cates Propane Plant Construction...........................2
Charlotte Tank Trucks............................................19
CUI........................................................................22
Gardner Marsh Gas Equipment...............................8
Gas Equipment Co.................................................15
Inergy.....................................................................16
PETCO..................................................................17
Plains Marketing...................................................20
Propane Trucks and Tanks......................................9
Thompson Gas.......................................................14
Contents
David Parker.....................................................4
John Jessup.......................................................5
Richard Fredenburg..........................................6
Mower Incentives in Media..............................7
Propane Village Open House.....................10-13
Saving for College ..........................................15
Propane Days Washington Issues....................16
Dave Harding, New Summer Intern................18
Marketing Through Branding..........................21
Brissom Contols Visits the Village .................23
Upcoming Events
June 12. 2012
Legislative Day,
Halifax Mall State Gov’t. Complex
Raleigh, NC
June 24-26, 2012
NCPGA Summer
Board Meeting
Shell Island Resort,
Wrightsville Beach, NC
NC Propane Gas Association
3
David Parker,
President
“PropaneJohn
Council” R.
cont.Jessup,
from page 9
Executive Director
Greetings:
On Monday May 28th we lost a great friend
and associate; Mike Boggs. My heart and prayers
go out to his family. Their loss is many times
greater than any loss we feel as friends and
associates of Mike. My prayer is that God may
lighten their burden of sadness and comfort them
in this time of mourning.
I first met Mike when he came on board with
NCPGA and was introduced at one of our board
meetings. When Mike joined NCPGA we had
never had a person on staff to help with technical
questions and the like. Since that time I think
most of us came to rely on Mike as a part of each
of our companies. We relied on Mike to answer
questions that we either couldn’t find ourselves
or were too embarrassed to admit to anyone else
we didn’t already know the answer. Lot’s of time
when I’d call Mike and ask him a question I would
begin with; I should know this but I don’t.
Mike also stepped up and began teaching a big
part of the training classes the Association offered,
and I might add was an excellent instructor. My
employees commented time and time again on
how well he taught a class they had attended. He
also did many things that we as members never
knew about that benefited our group here in
North Carolina. Mike will truly be missed as a
friend, a business associate, and most of all as the
great person that he was. Mike; may you rest in
peace.
We held the Grand Opening for our new
“PROPANE VILLAGE” and recently renovated
training facility on May 11th. We had great
attendance! Many members attended as well
as several distinguished guests, along with a
couple of staff from the National Propane Gas
Association. “PROPANE VILLAGE” is truly
astonishing in the way it highlights the many
facets of our industry. I can honestly say I have
never been prouder to be a member of such a
great industry; and a member of NCPGA as when
we cut the ribbon at this event. I want to
4
Don’t Miss NCPGA’s
larly reviewed to ensure every precaution is taken
Marketer Technology
to protect
our customers and their families. No exHello
members!
Training!
ceptions!!
Second to safety, is his commitment to the comSign up for Marketer Technology Trainmunity he calls home. Currently, Jenkins Propane
May 24 at the NCPGA Training Center!
Pittsboro
sponsorsbusy
Diamond
Dawgs Youth
BaseMayofwas
a particularly
and productive
month
for your ing,
association.
Learn
how to sign up for PERC’s new mower
which
encourages
young
adolescents
work cutting ceremony
Theball;
month
kicked
off with the
open
house andto
ribbon
program. Eligible groundskeepers
a team
individual
sportssuccessincentive
for together
Propane as
Village
onand
Maypursue
11th. their
The event
was a huge
with media
can get This
up to $1,000 for buying a qualifying
goals. legislative
He also supports
the Silk
Club
coverage,
involvement
andHope
over Ruritan
100 people
in attendance.
propane-fueled
commercial mower and sharthe Pittsboro
Club.
He knows
wasand
followed
by twoKiwanis
great days
of training
forthat
thebeEducation
Summit.
ing
details
with
PERC about
use and oping invested
in thehow
community
is just
as important
Participants
learned
to deal with
‘mean’
people; and, owners and
Johntheir
Jessup
eration
the mower
for one
year This
can be
managers
toptrust
10 ways
immediately
increase cash
flow.ofWe
as the discussed
customersthe
who
andtoinvest
in Jenkins
NCPGA
Executive
Director
with NCPGA’s $500.00 rebate.
taught
CTEPtobasic
andpropane
practices
class. JohnTo wrap upcombined
the month,
Propane
take principles
care of their
needs.
we ny
hadcan
Marketer
Technology
Training.
Members learned to offset seasonal demand by pursuing markets for
be reached
by email
at: janderson@jenkinCommercial
Mowers
and
On-Road
Vehicles
and fleets. The month of May saw NCPGA educating, training,
spropane.com. Ë
and entertaining over 250 people at the training center. I want to thank all the members who volunteered
their time and talents to make all these events happen.
“Everything is changing. People are taking the
comedians seriously and the politicians as a joke.”
-Will Rogers, 1879 - 1935
John Jessup
Happenings at NCPGA:
David Parker
NCPGA President
commend John Jessup for his vision of
“PROPANE VILLAGE”. I also want to thank
the Committee that worked hard to see the
project through; and a great big thank you to
the many sponsors who supported the project.
John estimated that 90 percent of the cost of
“PROPANE VILLAGE” was accomplished either
by donations of money or time by various people
and companies who supported it.
Several of your officers, fellow members, and
NCPGA staff will have returned from “Propane
Days” in Washington D.C. by the time you read
this. I hope we can return with some good
news from the meetings with our legislators in
Washington.
Don’t forget; District Meetings are coming up.
I encourage Owners and Managers to attend these
meetings as we will be discussing an issue that can
be a tremendous help to all of us in the propane
industry in North Carolina. These District
Meetings will be some of the most important
meetings we’ve had in some time. I look forward
to speaking with you at these meetings.
I hope each of you have a safe, happy and
restful summer!
David Parker
NC Propane Gas Association
June 2012
10
June 2012
NC Propane Gas Association
NC Propane Gas Association
May 2012
5
Richard Fredenburg,
NCDA&CS
Sharing Inspection Findings With State
and Federal Agencies, Using Concrete
Blocks for Tank Supports and Clearing
Inspections
Richard Fredenburg, North Carolina Department of
Agriculture and Consumer Services
As you can see from the heading of this article, three
issues have come up recently that I want to clarify.
Sharing of Digital Truck Inspections
In doing propane truck safety inspections, we also
make note of a number of federal regulations on
our inspection forms. Our intent in doing this is to
provide a courtesy inspection to help truck operators
be in compliance when they are inspected by U.S.
Department of Transportation or N.C. Motor Carrier
Enforcement officials. If we can help the trucks operate
more safely, then we think the extra time spent looking
at these items is worth it.
We recently met with representatives from the U.S.
DOT and N.C. Highway Patrol to discuss the truck
inspections we do and the multiple violations we find
that are outside of our regulatory jurisdiction. With
our new database coming online soon, we will have
the ability to share the information we collect with
the U.S. DOT, as recommended by the State Auditor’s
Office in its December report on
our program.
The bottom line is that the U.S. DOT
and Highway Patrol are interested
in this information as a means
for improving truck safety on the
highway. Both agencies will have
access to our data and use what they
feel is appropriate for their program.
We will not be involved in when or
how they go about their inspections.
We will issue a warning letter when
violations are first found, which
will include a list of the courtesy
items that are subject to U.S. DOT
6
regulations
for
your
information.
We expect truck
inspections
to
be entered from
field computers
directly to the
database by the
time you read
Richard Fredenburg
this. So the best
NC Dept of Agiculture and
advice we can
Consumer Services
offer is, if you get a warning letter from us, then you
may want to fix any violations noted on the report.
Concrete Blocks for Tank Support
We have long said that we will accept only solid concrete
blocks as tank supports. Please note, this portion of the
article does not address poured concrete piers or steel
supports of bulk tanks, only concrete blocks for ASME
tanks and DOT cylinders to keep them off the ground.
We specified that laying open concrete blocks on their
side so the axis of the hole is horizontal is not allowed.
Concrete blocks are intended to be upright when
installed so the load is borne by the solid walls of the
sides and ends.
Placing a load on the side of a block that is laid down
is an invitation to failure of the block. Concrete
is phenomenally strong in
compression, but unreinforced
concrete is notoriously weak in
shear, tension and bending. Placing
a load on a block that is laid
down brings in loads in shear and
bending.
We recently received notice from
a professional engineer saying
that he would not approve any
installation of blocks laid on their
sides for these reasons. The main
support for this thinking is that the
block manufacturer has not load
tested blocks in this arrangement
Propane Gas Association
NC
June 2012
and does not approve of loading blocks on their side.
The question has come up about using open blocks
properly oriented with a cap block on top. The intent of the
cap block in housing construction is to block termites. The
load is transferred not through the parts of the cap block
over the block opening, but directly through the portion
aligned with the walls. If you place the weight of the tank
on the part of the cap block that is not supported by a wall,
you are again loading the block in a manner that has not
been tested. The failure of this even has a name, “punch
through.” It can lead to failure of the block below because
of sideways forces generated by the cap block failure.
Please do not install tanks so that they are supported by
open concrete blocks on their sides. Use solid blocks and
stack a few of them if you need the height. Inspectors
will continue to reject tanks for improper use of concrete
blocks.
Clearing Inspections for Failure to Use
Chock Blocks or Failure to Notify for
Disconnect
We have been asked how to clear certain types of inspections
when the violation has been a momentary failure to comply
with a rule that is easily correctable. It is not clear how these
violations are cleared.
When a driver fails to chock his wheels and gets caught, he
or his company will receive a notice of violation, typically
a copy of the inspection. The violation is resolved when he
drives away, but the paperwork hangs on. We will issue a
penalty and we expect the driver to be given training to
remind him of the requirements.
In this case, and a few others, simply continuing to function
may erase all local evidence of a violation. There is no future
corrective action to take for that instance. There are actions
to take to help prevent a recurrence, and documenting this
is probably the best way to clear this type of inspection. You
can note the driver training you provided on the inspection
copy you return, but the violation itself is already gone.
When a company fails to provide written notice before they
disconnect a competitor’s tank, there is a fleeting violation.
We can investigate the paper trail to see if we can determine
if a violation occurred, but examining the tank installation
provides no information. A failure to notify cannot be
corrected. If you failed to notify before disconnecting and
then the disconnection happened, it is too late to notify. You
can still inform the competitor so he will know to pick up
his tank, which corrects a safety concern.
We encourage you to close the loop by returning a dated and
signed inspection report. Doing so may have some bearing
on the penalty amount should another violation occur.
June 2012
Attention Members:
If you have any interesting articles you
would like to submit to be considered for
publishing, please contact John Jessup,
Executive Director,NCPGA, by email at
jjessup@ncpga.org with a subject heading of Magazine . Thank-you!
Media Riding PERC’s
$1,000 Mowing Incentive
The $1,000 commercial mower incentive program
from the Propane Education & Research Council has
been written up and disseminated by a slew of media
outlets recently.
Seven television stations and three papers in the
Southeast ran on their websites a story on the incentive
by the Nashville Bureau of the Associated Press. The
Middle Tennessee Clean Fuels organization also
posted the news:
“Propane-fueled mowers cost less to operate and
produce fewer harmful emissions than gasolinefueled mowers. Propane mowers can reduce carbon
monoxide emissions by more than 80 percent and
greenhouse gas emissions by nearly 50 percent
compared with gasoline mowers.”
The Propane Mower Incentive Program ran on the
websites of a number of trade publications, including
Golf Course Industry, Green Media, Irrigation &
Green Industry, Lawn & Landscape, Landscape
Management, Total Landscape Care, and Turf.
Under the program professional mowing firms can
save as much as $1,000 on a new propane-fueled
mower. The mower must have a 60-inch to 72-inch
cutting width and the firm must share details with
PERC about its use and operation of the mower for
one year. Participating customers can purchase up to
10 eligible mowers and earn incentives up to $10,000
NC Propane Gas Association
7
8
8
NC Propane Gas Association
NC Propane Gas Association
May 2012
June 2012
12
June 2012
NC Propane Gas Association
NC Propane Gas Association
May 2012
9
North Carolina Propane Gas Association
Propane Village Contributors, 2012
Cornerstone Society
($ 6000-$15,000)
Scott Groves - CUI Distribution & Equipment
Doug Lawrence – CUI Distribution & Equipment
Ric Mitro - Rinnai
Mike Waller - RH Peterson
Steve Ward – Gardner Marsh Gas Equipment
Heritage Fellowship
($2001-$5999)
Billy & Ann G. Brisson – Controls, Inc
Amy Jordan Dean – LG Jordan Oil Co.
Dale Gardner – Gardner Marsh Gas Equipment
Dick March – American Tank & Welding
Daren & David Parker – Parker Gas Co.
Mike Pivonka – Flame Engineering
Founders’ Club
($-1000-$2000)
Steve Barton – Gas Equipment Company
Billy Foust – Foust Fuels
Jim Hill -Monessen Hearth
Hugh Hinton – Sterling Transport
Frank Horne Jr. - Gas-Fired Products Charlotte
Mitch Johnson - JCO Marketing / Travis Industries
Kemp Johnson – KB Johnson Oil & Gas Company
Kevin Craft – Amerigas
Keith McGowan – Jenkins Gas Co.
Chad Morris -Vantage Hearth
Diane Thomas – Enterprise Products
Daniel Williamson (DJ) – CHS, Inc
Rickey Watkins – Apex Propane
Brian Wright / Tracy O’Brien – Ferrellgas
Supporters
($300-$999)
Tim Carrere – Apache LP Trucks
Lacy Compton – Carolane Propane
Jeff Faucher – Blue Rhino
Kelly Hendershot – Leran Gas Products
Paul Harris – Propane Trucks and Tanks
Michael & Anita Holder – Controls, Inc
Kyle King – Optimal Turf Care
Lora Marti – Inergy Propane
John Robert Mattocks – Williams Energy Group
Armistead Mauck – Cherry Energy
10
Supporters, cont.
($300-$999)
Matt Parrish - Sodco Turf Producers
Ashley & Angela Rains – Boon Hill Propane
Judson Pope – Pope Transport Company
Jeff Ruffner – Energy United Propane, LLC
Mike Rutherford – Rutherford Equipment
Jeff & Betty Jo Wade – Rand Wade Oil Company
Lane Walter - Walane Gas Co.
Eddie & Donna B. West – Controls Inc.
Robert H. White - R.D. White and Sons
Friends
($50- $299)
Brad Bobbitt – Super Flame Gas Co.
Donnie Bullock – Williams Energy Group
David Briles – Briles Oil & Gas Co
Ray Brinn – Super Flame Gas Co
Brian Campbell – Cape Fear Transport
Felton Crews – Blossman Gas
Wade S. Dunbar III – Wade S, Dunbar Agency, Inc.
Tony Gay – Tharrington Parts
Max Gouge – Industrial Propane & Petroleum, Inc.
Mike Groom – ON Hold:32
Harold W. Johnson, Jr. – K.B. Johnson Oil & Gas Co.
Cyndi Kibler – Professional Propane Services, LLC
John Langston – Best & Langston
George Lipford – Phillips 66
Wayne McLamb – McLamb’s LP Gas Supply
F. Ray Moore – F. Ray Moore Oil Co., Inc.
Ralph T. Morris
Ron Munyon
Greg Narron – PETCO
George Nassar – Quality Steel
Clarence Rice – CUI Distribution & Equipment
Christian Rich – Digital Insurance, Inc.
Steve Simmons – Central Gas & Appliance
Bobby Smith – Smith Brothers Gas Co.
Missy Tietjens – Alliance Energy
Casper Hill Timberlake, III
Harold Vanderveer
Lane Walter – Walane Gas Co.
Edward West & Michael Holder – Controls, Inc.
Burl Williamson – B.J. Williamson
Peter Wilson – Inergy Propane
NC Propane Gas Association
June 2012
NCPGA
PROPANE VILLAGE
Official Open House
June 2012
NC Propane Gas Association
May 11, 2012
11
Senator Brent Jackson with David Parker
Propane Village Open House
and Training Events
NCPGA held an open house and ribbon cutting ceremony for Propane
Village on May 11th. The event was huge success with media coverage,
legislative involvement and over 100 people in attendance. This was followed
by two great days of training for the Education Summit.
Thank all the members who volunteered their time and talents and
contributors, (see page 10), who made the event such a success!
Jon Williams, Asst. Sec for Energy,
NC Dept of Commerce
June 2012
NC Propane Gas Association
13
$AVING FOR COLLEGE
Tax Benefits
The money that you invest into a 529 plan acts much
What’s Wrong with
Pictures?
likeThese
other types
of investment accounts. But, the
s the school year winds down, I thought that it earnings in 529 accounts will not be federally taxed.
would be helpful to spend some time talking Most states do not tax these earnings either. In order
about one of the most popular ways to save for to get these tax advantages, the withdrawals must be
college or other post high school education choices. used for tuition, room/board, books and certain fees
Be advised that there are several ways that this can incurred for a post high school education.
be done. Each method has its purpose and benefits.
State sponsored 529 plans have become a way to put aside If you decide to use the money for something else,
significant savings that may receive favorable tax treatment. such as a car purchase or a vacation, then you may
These plans come in two forms, Prepaid Tuition Plan and find yourself getting hit with not only federal income
College Tuition Plan. The College Tuition Plan is what I taxes, but a 10% penalty as well. If you participate in
will focus on in this article.
a plan sponsored by the state that you also reside/pay
state taxes in, you may be eligible for a state income tax
Yes, there are many plans that you can choose from, reduction.
but it is worth looking at the North Carolina plan,
particularly
if you
paymonth’s
North pictures:
Carolinathe
state
taxes.
Doesn’t
to College
Answers
to last
relief
valve Sally
on the
left is go
completely
blocked. Will it operate if
Our states
plan
is
both
very
easy
to
sign
up
for
and
Sally’s
parents
have
529valve,
plan that
set uplooked
for their
necessary? It is unclear what the substance is that’s filling the space inathe
but itthey
certainly
ranks well
the other
plans that
are available.
daughter.
haveonbeen
contributingthe
topoint
the plan
cakedamong
and solid.
A protective
cap might
have prevented
this.They
The gate
the right-what’s
of
Regardless
of
the
plan
that
you
choose,
you
can
set
for
10
years
now.
What
happens
to
the
money
if
Sally
locking the padlock? NFPA 58 6.18.4.1(2) requires limitation of unauthorized access. I don’t think this
up monthly
or you
canatjust
lock isbank
reallydrafts
limiting
access
all.contribute as decides not to go to continue her education after high
money comes available. They are very flexible this way. school? This can unfold in a number of ways.
cont. p21
Thanks to James Lambert of NC Dept. of Agriculture and Consumer Services for this month’s pictures.
BY DEREK CARAWAN
A
14
14
NC Propane Gas Association
NC Propane Gas Association
May 2012
June 2012
2012
JuneMay
2012
PropaneGas
GasAssociation
Association
NCNC
Propane
21
15
With this month’s Propane Days in Washington, DC, NPGA
willFuel”
be cont.
highlighling
affecting
An increased
use of our
cleanerindustry.
domestic fuels is
“Domestic
from page 15 main issues
a bipartisan-supported issue, said Alleyn Harned,
• and
Tax
Extenders:
is pushing
hard
to gain executive
enactmentdirector
of the Propane
GAS Act,
would
of Virginia
Cleanwhich
Cities,
who
attended
the event. NPGA
Why? Because
they
recog-
extend
theimportance
alternative fuel,
and
infrastructure
tax dozens
credits for
five years. fuel
As an
alternative,
works with
of alternative
fleets.
Fleets
nize the
of thevehicle,
passage
ofrefueling
this legislawe
are
also
seeking
to
convince
Congress
to
extend
these
tax
credits
for
2012.
We
need
to
make
sure
that all
throughout
the
country
are
interested
in
increased
tion to their company s bottom line. The incentives
alternative
fuels
have
parity
with
the
tax
code.
from this bill will encourage propane autogas ve- use of propane autogas, and alternative fuel incenhicle purchases, translating into more propane sales tives enable the market.
Gasoline
and diesel
haveadministers
traditionally
experi-of
• across
Pipeline
Advocacy: The Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission
(FERC)
a policy
the country.
“light
handed
regulation”
of
pipelines
transporting
propane,
which
means
that
the
agency
is
much
less
agenced
a
marketplace
monopoly
when
it
comes
to
During our trip, our group met with a total of 73
gressive
in its oversight
compared
withwith
the Sen.
electricity
natural gas
sectors.
Considering
the importance
of
and
corporate
fleet vehicle
sales. Yet
congressional
offices. We
spent time
Tom orconsumer
the
pipeline
infrastructure
to
the
competitiveness
of
propane,
NPGA
believes
that
it
is
time
to
replace
light
Carper (DE), Rep. Kenny Marchant (TX), Rep. with propane autogas we have a domestic, clean
handed
withand
more
federal
of regulated
pipelines.
cost-efficient
fuel that is currently available,
Adam regulation
Smith (WA),
topassertive
legislative
aidesoversight
who, and
and
fleets
across
the
country have taken notice since
like myself, think domestically produced alterna2005
when
incentives
were first
introduced.
• tive
Estate
Tax:
a permanent
estate
taxthe
policy
of complete
repeal
as contemfuels, such
as NPGA
naturalstrongly
gas and supports
propane autogas,
To arrive
a meeting
Capitolgiven
Hill the
withcurrent
an
plated
by in
several
legislative
in the
If fullatrepeal
is noton
possible
are key
transitioning
theproposals
current state
of House
our na-and Senate.
industry
manufacturer,
distributer and
end user
political
environment,
NPGA supports an extension of the
2011/2012
estate taxa framework
thatan
provides
tion s security
and economy.
an exemption
of
$5
million
per
spouse,
indexes
the
exemption
for
inflation
(making
the
exemption
$5.12
sends
a
powerful
message
to
Members
of
Congress,
Denison Landscaping s Josh Denison, who curmillion
2012),
and puts
in place
a maximum
tax rateRoldan,
of 35 percent
for estates
areAssostill
said Richard
National
Propanethat
Gas
rently in
runs
propane
autogas
in his
Maryland federal
fleet, estate
subject
to
tax.
met with Rep. Jason Altmire (PA). I wanted to let ciation s president and CEO. This is how change
Congressman Altmire know that I would seriously happens in Washington.
If passed, the Propane
GAS Act
could
help
fleetDOE
conversion
and have
propane and
au- Development
• consider
Paritya in
Energy
Research
Programs:
NPGA
is seeking
parity
natural
gas andinother
alternative office
fuels ininDepartment of Energy (DOE) programs applicable to
togaswith
vehicles
running
my Pittsburgh
alternative
fuels.ifThere
some existing
programs
the near future
theseare
incentives
are in place,
saidwithin DOE that while including other alternative fuels,
continued on page 18
atDenison.
the same time are excluding propane.
May 2012
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16
NC Propane Gas Association
NC Propane Gas Association
May 2012
June 2012
June 2012
NC Propane Gas Association
NC Propane Gas Association
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17
MEET NCPGA’s SUMMER
INTERN, DAVE!
Hello!
My name is Dave Harding and I will be this year’s
summer intern here at the North Carolina Propane Gas
Association. I am very excited about this opportunity to
learn more about the propane industry. I am a student
at Duke University where I play on the offensive line for
the football team. I will be graduating in December with
a degree in Public Policy Studies and a minor in Arabic.
The son of missionaries, I grew up in the country of
Jordan before moving back to my most recent home in
Orlando, Florida. Earlier this summer I organized a trip
Dave Harding, NCPGA Summer Intern
for the Duke offensive line to drill water wells in rural
Ethiopia. After making it back safely I decided to search for an internship that would provide me with experience
working on legislative issues in the state government and the NCPGA seemed like a perfect fit. I look forward to
meeting you at a NCPGA event in the near future!
Best,
Dave Harding
Marketing 101 Tip
June, 2012
Branding
Too many of us look at the Nike “swoosh” and
think, “What a great idea!” Whenever you see
that logo, there is no doubt in your mind that this
symbol means Nike.
Granted, that kind of recognition requires many
millions of advertising dollars to generate the impressions necessary to ingrain that message into
all of our minds. Most of us do not have that kind
of capital.
But what we do have is creativity.
Starting today, take a careful look at your company name. Take an objective look at how effective it is. Is it relevant? Does it represent what we
are as a company and what we do in the market
place today?
Do you, as the leader of your company, make
sure that you place this brand on everything that
you touch? Is it on every company vehicle and do
cont. p21
18
800.448.9504
NC Propane Gas Association
Providing solutions for our customers
through training, technical knowledge,
and choice of quality equipment.
May 2012
June 2012
June 2012
NC Propane Gas Association
NC Propane Gas Association
19
19
$AVING FOR COLLEGE
(cont from p.15)
• Sally can use the benefit at a later date
• The parents can change the beneficiary from Sally to
a sibling or other relative
Other Considerations
• Having a 529 may affect eligibility for financial aid.
• If you want to save money for “other” expenses such
as a car for your teenager, camp, music lessons, then
consider an UGMA or UTMA account.
• Some plans are sold by financial advisors, while
others can be bought directly, which may help avoid
certain commissions and fees.
• In general it makes sense to invest more
conservatively as the child gets closer to the point when
they will need the money. Money invested in an age
based portfolio account “self-adjusts” by becoming less
risky as the child’s 18th birthday gets nearer.
• The money that you contribute to the plan can
generally be withdrawn penalty and tax free.
• A 529 plan can be an excellent tool for estate
planning.
• For more information visit:
www.cfnc.org/save
www.savingforcollege.com
Derek Carawan is a LPL Financial Advisor and LPL Registered Principal
with Carawan Financial Partners, Inc. / Securities offered through LPL
Financial/ Member FINRA/SIPC and may be reached at, www.carawanfp.
com, 919-870-8181 or derek.carawan@lpl.com
These views are those of the author and should not be construed as investment
advice. All information is believed to be from reliable sources; however we
make no representation as to its completeness or accuracy. Please consult your
Financial Advisor for further information.
The opinions voiced in this material are for general information only
and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for
any individual. This information is not intended to be a substitute for
specific individualized tax or legal planning advice. To determine which
investment(s) may be appropriate for you, consult your financial advisor
prior to investing. All performance referenced is historical and is no
guarantee of future results. All indices are unmanaged and cannot be invested
into directly.
Marketing 101 Tip, Branding cont. from p 18
those vehicles exclaim that name vividly and proudly?
Do you have it on everything from your letterhead to
every label, every sign, every pen, etc., etc. that your
company uses and places into the marketplace?
beneficial. Competition is fierce and chances are your
competitors are thinking about these things.
Remember, while you may not be able to get the
worldwide recognition that Nike can get, you can get
Do the colors make sense? Are they vibrant and do they recognition within your marketplace. It requires a
stand out in a crowd? How recognizable is your name calculated effort to make that impression over and over
again. The results may not be evident in the short term
to both your customers and your potential customers?
How about your logo? Do you have one? Does it but they will surely have long term benefits that can be
make sense and is it recognizable? Do you have it on substantial.
everything that you could possibly get it on to?
Remember, once upon a time nobody knew of the Nike
If you go through this analysis (and this short list is not “Swoosh” and McDonalds “Golden Arches”. Somebody
meant to be exhaustive) and find that you are lacking; had to conjure them up and make them relevant and you
you should consider putting some effort into this area had to see them over and over again to make them stick.
and making some changes. Some of the decisions may
be tough. It could be that a name change, color change, Good Luck!
logo change, etc. may need to be made but confronting Colin Wood-Bradley
these issues sooner rather than later maybe very
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20
NC Propane Gas Association
May 2012
NC Propane Gas Association
June 2012
June 2012
NC Propane Gas Association
21
Improved Training Module for Construction Pros Now Online
An improved interactive training module from PERC
includes updated material, research studies, a news
feed, and other upgrades that can help marketers connect with construction professionals and homeowners.
The five training tools — the Heating Energy Cost
and Carbon Calculator, the Propane Products and
Appliances Directory, the Propane Energy Pod tool,
the Virtual Home, and the Comparative Heating Map
— are designed to reside on your propane company
website, together or separately, delivering the latest
research on residential propane applications to the
people who need it most.
Marketers can customize the module, choosing versions that target builders or homeowners. Construction professionals have incorporated previous versions of the module into their own sites or linked to it
through the Propane Education & Research Council’s
buildwithpropane site.
Webmasters seeking to add the upgraded Interactive
Training Module to their own sites should visit the
instructions and access the webmaster’s best practices
guide.
Fleet Managers Hear Propane Autogas
Positives at ACT Expo
Fleet managers heard plenty of positive reviews of
propane autogas during the Fleet Recipes for Winning
Project Development seminar at the 2012 Alternative
Clean Transportation (ACT) Expo last week in Long
Beach, Calif.
John Roberts, vice president with Schwan’s Home
Service, discussed his firm’s use of propane autogas to
fuel 3,462 of the vehicles it operates to deliver meals
to millions of customers in 48 states. Schwan’s began
using autogas more than 30 years ago in response to
gasoline shortages. Roberts said autogas is abundant
and less expensive than gasoline, and its lower emissions are a great benefit.
Michael Britt, vice president of vehicle engineering
with UPS, updated managers on the package delivery
company’s Canadian operations that use 600 trucks
that run on propane autogas.
Fleet managers can find many vehicles that are fueled
by propane autogas. The ACT EXPO drew more
than 2,000 executives from alternative fuel providers, manufacturers, governments, fleet operators, and
other firms.
Bring your company out for a tour
of NCPGA’s Propane Village!
Last month we welcomed Billy Brisson
and the staff of Controls, Inc.
22
year. Show me another effort that has potential to
NC Propane Gas
Association
June 2012
produce
these results.
boost our nation’s economy while generating up to
The good news is that during our trip to Wash42,000 new jobs and reducing crude oil and petro-
continued from page 16
May 2012
June
2012
NC
NC Propane
PropaneGas
GasAssociation
Association
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North Carolina Propane Gas Association
5109 Hollyridge Dr.
Raleigh, NC 27612