LP Gas, October 2018

EDUCATION Morgantown High School WV Class of 1979 Fairmont State University WV Microsoft Certified System Engineer MCSE 2001 WORK EXPERIENCE August 2003 05 West Virginia University Academic Information Services August 2005 March 2010 West Virginia University Learning Center Manager of software consulting and training March 2010 Present National Alternative Fuels Training Consortium Assistant director for curriculum development and training Interim director HOBBY 64 LPGas October 2018 LPGasmagazine com PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE NAFTC LEFT RIGHT ISTOCK COM SERGIO DELLE VEDOVE IVANASTAR A PROPANE PERSONALITY MICHEAL SMYTH INTERIM DIRECTOR NATIONAL ALTERNATIVE FUELS TRAINING CONSORTIUM THE MISSION OF NAFTC The NAFTC is a not for profit program of West Virginia University that develops and presents training on alternative fuels and alternative fuel vehicles including electric propane natural gas hydrogen biodiesel and ethanol We distribute this training primarily through a consortium of community and technical colleges but also offer training to business and industry partners NAFTC AND THE PROPANE INDUSTRY We have not only developed and continue to tweak our three day autogas technician class but we have built some amazing in class training tools and have a quite amazing relationship with the Propane Education Research Council Blossman Roush Icom and Superior Energy to name a few We would not be near as successful with our autogas program if it wasnt for this industry support My wife and I love to travel and we couple that in enjoying different cuisines Our most recent trips have been to places with great street food scenes such as Cuba Japan and Hong Kong Interview by Joe McCarthy THE FUTURE Alternative fuels are the future of the United States and the worlds transportation needs Propane autogas is growing strongly in certain transportation sectors especially in small to midsized fleets especially school buses Smaller fleets benefit from the lower cost of the fueling infrastructure for propane if public fueling is not available If the industry can determine what it will take in education and possible incentives to get propane marketers to look at autogas fueling as an opportunity to sell more gallons then the limit on who would adopt propane as their chosen fuel source is limitless ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES As director of a small group I get to support all aspects of our mission From executive decisionmaking to driving our learning center box trailer cross country in support of an educational endeavor I am lucky enough to have the opportunity to participate in all aspects of what we do including curriculum development training building industry relationships and anything else that helps us continue our efforts to educate the automotive industry stakeholders and general public on the importance of alternative fuels BEST ADVICE YOUVE EVER RECEIVED My earliest mentor stated to me the most difficult part of being a supervisor is to take on the responsibility of placing every employee under your care in a position where they can succeed As the director of a small group Smyth supports all aspects of the NAFTCs mission The NAF TC develops and presents training on alternative fuels Street food in Hong Kong