LP Gas, June 2017

Dan Binning New executive director for three state propane associations offers well rounded perspective from different facets of the industry T he Arizona Colorado and New Mexico propane associations selected Dan Binning to serve as their executive director in November Binning came to the position with years of experience on both the retail and wholesale sides of the propane industry offering the state associations with a wellrounded perspective He also has some unique college experiences that helped to shape his character before he entered the propane industry LP Gas Associate Editor Megan Smalley met with Binning during this years NPGA Southeastern Convention International Propane Expo to find out more about his new role plans for the future and lessons hes learned in the industry LP Gas What made you interested in the state association executive director position How has the transition been for you Binning performs work for the Arizona Colorado and New Mexico propane associations out of his home office in Colorado Max his golden retriever keeps Binning company at his office Binning When the Baron Glassgow situation hit the National Propane Gas Association terminated Glassgows employment last year I was somewhat intrigued I expressed some interest last June But I certainly didnt want to take on the 12 states Glassgow had Theres no way that could have been efficiently managed So I just threw my hat in the ring for Colorado Arizona and New Mexico and that seemed to me a reasonable workload By the time I got done with the whole interview process I got started with the position Nov 1 2016 Its been educational I didnt know what I didnt know There are a lot of things that I could have been doing over the winter to get ready for the busy spring training season but I didnt know some of the things that I needed to be doing So now Im putting in very long hours trying to stay on top of things Next year should be a little smoother LP Gas What are some of your goals for the state associations in Arizona Colorado and New Mexico Binning Im trying to increase nondues revenues through sponsorships of meetings and seminars as well as increase dues revenues I think there are a lot of people out there who think theyre a part of the association but havent been paying dues so Ill try to explain to them the value proposition of membership I would like to try to help things happen to make an atmosphere more conducive to growth for the propane marketer So far from what Ive been able to see at the state level were reacting more than were being proactive Id like to get more proactive We had a very good event in March at the Arizona Capitol in Phoenix called Propane Day at the Capitol We didnt lobby but we provided lunch for all of the legislators and their staffs We had all kinds of propane equipment there and I thought it was a great event Id like to see it recreated in Colorado and New Mexico LP Gas What has your new position taught you so far Binning Its very early in the game but Ive learned to listen and be willing to adapt I would say not only did I not know what I didnt know but I also didnt know how to do some things For example sending out e newsletters and the Constant Contact program were foreign to me I took an online tutorial and webinars to learn Im getting better and its not taking me four hours Continued on page 12 10 LPGas June 2017 www LPGasmagazine com PHOTO COURTESY OF DAN BINNING