Leadership

Seasoned leadership team with deep propane industry experience

EDP has created a leadership team of propane industry veterans with a deep understanding of retail and commercial propane sales, operations and finance.

Thomas E. Knauff

Executive Chairman

Tom brings 30-plus years of executive, operations and transaction experience…

Tom brings 30-plus years of executive, operations and transaction experience in the propane industry. After beginning his career at Ferrellgas – where he helped integrate the $400 million leveraged buyout of Buckey Gas Products – Tom co-founded Propane Continental, making 34 acquisitions before selling to Cornerstone Propane in 1998. He then affiliated with a Chicago middle-market investment bank and continued his entrepreneurial focus in the energy industry. In 2003 Tom co-founded Liberty Propane, ran its operations during the start-up period and served on its board until 2009. In 2012, he launched Chicago-based Energy Distribution Partners, now EDP.

Tom has contributed articles on entrepreneurship and the energy industry outlets such as Entrepreneur, BPN, LP Gas and The Chicago Tribune.

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Boyd H McGathey

President & Chief Executive Officer

Boyd has nearly 30 years of experience in the propane industry. He has served …

Boyd has nearly 30 years of experience in the propane industry. Over the years he served in a variety of senior level positions where he managed retail operations, sales, safety, service quality, customer retention and profitability, among other responsibilities. Boyd most recently served as Chief Operating Officer for WESROC Monitoring Solutions, an independent Technologies company that provides tank monitoring equipment for propane and refined products industries. Prior to that, he held executive positions with multi-state marketers including Inergy Propane, Liberty Propane and Ferrellgas. Boyd is a Marine Corps veteran and board member of the International Young Gassers Association.

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John Casper

Executive VP & Chief Financial Officer

John brings over 20 years of financial leadership experience with a focus on building…

John brings over 20 years of financial leadership experience with a focus on leading, building and scaling finance and accounting operations in growth-oriented organizations. He began his career with PricewaterhouseCoopers in the audit practice, primarily serving middle-market private companies. Prior to joining EDP, John held several senior level finance positions within the infrastructure and real estate sectors. He has expertise in financial reporting, planning and analysis, treasury management, capital structure optimization, acquisition integration, technical accounting, and audit and tax compliance. He received his Master of Accountancy and a B.S. in Accounting and Finance from Miami University. John is a Certified Public Accountant.

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Kathy Johnson

Executive VP & Chief HR Officer

Kathy has over 20 years of human resources leadership experience. Over her career…

Kathy has over 20 years of human resources leadership experience. Over her career, Kathy has provided senior level HR leadership to companies across a variety of industries and has provided leadership in over 75 acquisitions. She continues to support growth through acquisitions at EDP and is a key member of the leadership team. Since joining EDP in 2018, Kathy has led the HR function to become a full-service HR department by implementing technology, introducing additional resources, and leading an overhaul of company policies and procedures.  She has an undergraduate degree from DePaul University and a Master of Jurisprudence in Employment and Labor Law from Tulane University.

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David R. Stroupe

Executive VP of Corporate Development

David R. Stroupe

Executive VP of Corporate Development

David has over 30 years of propane industry experience in a variety of senior level…

David has over 30 years of propane industry experience in a variety of senior-level management, operations, and business development positions. He began his propane career as vice president and chief operating officer with Green Mountain Propane and later held positions of increasing responsibility in business development and operations for major marketers including Heritage Propane and AmeriGas Partners. Prior to joining EDP he spent five years as President of Yankee Propane before successfully negotiating the company’s sale to Superior Plus Energy Services. David has successfully closed on more than 125 acquisitions. He graduated from Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts.

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Daniel Dixon

VP of Corporate Development

Daniel has 28 years of propane industry experience…

Daniel has 28 years of propane industry experience. He began his career with Propane Resources, working with companies needing valuation, estate planning and sell side representation. Prior to joining EDP, his most recent position was Group Director of Business Development with AmeriGas. During his time in the industry, Daniel has completed more than 70 transactions. He is very active in propane industry associations, currently serving on the NPGA Board of Directors. He also served as a past Chairman of the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC).

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Russ Head

VP of Safety

Russ has over 35 years of experience in the propane industry…

Russ has over 35 years of experience in the propane industry, working for multiple companies. Starting as a driver in 1988 in Wisconsin, he was quickly promoted to manager and ran a successful startup in Minnesota. He launched his own propane company, Quality Propane, in 2000 and successfully ran it until 2014 when he sold it to EDP. He continued to run the business for two years before transitioning into various leadership roles within EDP. He has since held the positions of Sales Director, Director of Projects and Regional Director of Operations until being named to his current position of Vice President of Safety. Russ has a track record of proven results in every position he has held throughout his career.

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Jim Rushing

VP of Industry Engagement

Jim has over twenty-two years of industry experience with various Leadership positions…

Jim has more than 25 years of propane industry experience, serving in various leadership positions that have involved acquisitions, large P&L operations management, project management, leading staff support teams and effectively implementing safety training, policies, and procedures. Before launching a successful business career, Jim served in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve where he was deployed to the first Gulf War as a Combat Engineer. Jim is a graduate of Southern Illinois University at Carbondale.

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Bill Wiest

Region Vice President – East

Bill has more than 30 years experience in the petroleum, liquid gas, and logistics industries…

Bill has more than 30 years’ experience in the petroleum, liquid gas, and logistics industries. He is an executive with a proven ability to use technology and leadership skills to maximize profitability, reduce overall expenses, and deliver strong organizational growth for long-established operations as well as newly acquired businesses. Bill honorably served 20 years in the United States Air Force, specifically in leadership positions within the fuels and logistics sectors., performing various roles that led to successful outcomes. Bill received both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Business Administration from Trident University in Cypress, California. He is actively pursuing his doctorate in Business Administration.

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Merle Edington

Region Vice President – Southwest

Merle brings over 23 years of industry experience with various leadership positions…

Merle brings over 23 years of propane industry experience, having served in various leadership positions that involved acquisitions, successful management of large P&L operations, and operations management and support. Merle’s focus has always been bringing teams together to achieve business growth, increased levels of customer service, and safety across all aspects of the propane industry. Prior to building a successful career in the propane industry, Merle served 20 years on active duty in the U.S. Army in a variety of roles including as Special Forces Weapons Sergeant. He is originally from Medford, Oregon, and graduated from Campbell University in Buies Creek, North Carolina.

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Andy Fellman

Region Vice President – Northwest

Andy brings over 29 years of industry experience and has held many roles within the industry….

Andy brings nearly 30 years of propane industry experience to his current role with EDP. Over the course of his career Andy has served in a variety of positions of increasing responsibility, with an emphasis on operational and leadership roles. Throughout his years in the industry, he has demonstrated a commitment to operating safely and achieving his organization’s financial targets, receiving numerous awards and recognition for his efforts. Andy has an Administration of Justice degree from San Jose City College. He lives within EDP’s Northwest region’s operating territory, bringing a deep knowledge of the company’s operations there.

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Paige O’Dell

Region Vice President – Central

Paige joins EDP as Region Vice President – Central Region. With more than 30 years of …

Paige joins EDP as Region Vice President – Central Region. With more than 30 years of propane industry experience, she has served in a variety of positions of increasing responsibility and has been recognized for her ability to execute business strategies, increase efficiencies, and foster business and operational resilience. Paige is also well-known for serving in leadership positions for multiple industry organizations. She served as Chair of the Women in LPG committee for the World LPG Association, and as both Vice-Chair and Membership Chair for the Women in Propane Council.

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ABOUT US

STAY IN TOUCH

  • EDP
  • 30 S. Wacker Drive, Suite 2575
  • Chicago, IL 60606
312-254-5950

OFFICE HOURS

M-F 8am- 5pm

Thomas E. Knauff

Executive Chairman

Tom brings 30-plus years of executive, operations and transaction experience in the propane industry. After beginning his career at Ferrellgas – where he helped integrate the $400 million leveraged buyout of Buckey Gas Products – Tom co-founded Propane Continental, making 34 acquisitions before selling to Cornerstone Propane in 1998. He then affiliated with a Chicago middle-market investment bank and continued his entrepreneurial focus in the energy industry. In 2003 Tom co-founded Liberty Propane, ran its operations during the start-up period and served on its board until 2009. In 2012, he launched Chicago-based Energy Distribution Partners, now EDP.

Tom has contributed articles on entrepreneurship and the energy industry to outlets such as Entrepreneur, BPN, LP Gas and The Chicago Tribune.

Boyd H McGathey

President & Chief Executive Officer

Boyd has nearly 30 years of experience in the propane industry. Over the years he served in a variety of senior level positions where he managed retail operations, sales, safety, service quality, customer retention and profitability, among other responsibilities. Boyd most recently served as Chief Operating Officer for WESROC Monitoring Solutions, an independent Technologies company that provides tank monitoring equipment for propane and refined products industries. Prior to that, he held executive positions with multi-state marketers including Inergy Propane, Liberty Propane and Ferrellgas. Boyd is a Marine Corps veteran and board member of the International Young Gassers Association.

John Casper

Executive VP & Chief Financial Officer

John brings over 20 years of financial leadership experience with a focus on leading, building and scaling finance and accounting operations in growth-oriented organizations. He began his career with PricewaterhouseCoopers in the audit practice, primarily serving middle-market private companies. Prior to joining EDP, John held several senior level finance positions within the infrastructure and real estate sectors. He has expertise in financial reporting, planning and analysis, treasury management, capital structure optimization, acquisition integration, technical accounting, and audit and tax compliance. He received his Master of Accountancy and a B.S. in Accounting and Finance from Miami University. John is a Certified Public Accountant.

Kathy Johnson

Executive VP & Chief HR Officer

Kathy has over 20 years of human resources leadership experience. Over her career, Kathy has provided senior level HR leadership to companies across a variety of industries and has provided leadership in over 75 acquisitions. She continues to support growth through acquisitions at EDP and is a key member of the leadership team. Since joining EDP in 2018, Kathy has led the HR function to become a full-service HR department by implementing technology, introducing additional resources, and leading an overhaul of company policies and procedures.  She has an undergraduate degree from DePaul University and a Master of Jurisprudence in Employment and Labor Law from Tulane University.

David R. Stroupe

Executive Vice President of Corporate Development 

David has over 30 years of propane industry experience in a variety of senior-level management, operations, and business development positions. He began his propane career as vice president and chief operating officer with Green Mountain Propane and later held positions of increasing responsibility in business development and operations for major marketers including Heritage Propane and AmeriGas Partners. Prior to joining EDP he spent five years as President of Yankee Propane before successfully negotiating the company’s sale to Superior Plus Energy Services. David has successfully closed on more than 125 acquisitions. He graduated from Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts.

Daniel V. Dixon

VP of Corporate Development 

Daniel has 28 years of propane industry experience. He began his career with Propane Resources, working with companies needing valuation, estate planning and sell side representation. Prior to joining EDP, his most recent position was Group Director of Business Development with AmeriGas. During his time in the industry, Daniel has completed more than 70 transactions. He is very active in propane industry associations, currently serving on the NPGA Board of Directors. He also served as a past Chairman of the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC).

Russ Head

VP of Safety

Russ has over 35 years of experience in the propane industry, working for multiple companies. Starting as a driver in 1988 in Wisconsin, he was quickly promoted to manager and ran a successful startup in Minnesota. He launched his own propane company, Quality Propane, in 2000 and successfully ran it until 2014 when he sold it to EDP. He continued to run the business for two years before transitioning into various leadership roles within EDP. He has since held the positions of Sales Director, Director of Projects and Regional Director of Operations until being named to his current position of Vice President of Safety. Russ has a track record of proven results in every position he has held throughout his career.

Jim Rushing

VP of Industry Engagement

Jim has more than 25 years of propane industry experience, serving in various leadership positions that have involved acquisitions, large P&L operations management, project management, leading staff support teams and effectively implementing safety training, policies, and procedures. Before launching a successful business career, Jim served in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve where he was deployed to the first Gulf War as a Combat Engineer. Jim is a graduate of Southern Illinois University at Carbondale.

Bill Wiest

Region Vice President – East

Bill has more than 30 years’ experience in the petroleum, liquid gas, and logistics industries. He is an executive with a proven ability to use technology and leadership skills to maximize profitability, reduce overall expenses, and deliver strong organizational growth for long-established operations as well as newly acquired businesses. Bill honorably served 20 years in the United States Air Force, specifically in leadership positions within the fuels and logistics sectors., performing various roles that led to successful outcomes. Bill received both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Business Administration from Trident University in Cypress, California. He is actively pursuing his doctorate in Business Administration.

Merle Edington

Region Vice President – Southwest

Merle brings over 23 years of propane industry experience, having served in various leadership positions that involved acquisitions, successful management of large P&L operations, and operations management and support. Merle’s focus has always been bringing teams together to achieve business growth, increased levels of customer service, and safety across all aspects of the propane industry. Prior to building a successful career in the propane industry, Merle served 20 years on active duty in the U.S. Army in a variety of roles including as Special Forces Weapons Sergeant. He is originally from Medford, Oregon, and graduated from Campbell University in Buies Creek, North Carolina.

Andy Fellman

Region Vice President – Northwest

Andy brings nearly 30 years of propane industry experience to his current role with EDP. Over the course of his career Andy has served in a variety of positions of increasing responsibility, with an emphasis on operational and leadership roles. Throughout his years in the industry, he has demonstrated a commitment to operating safely and achieving his organization’s financial targets, receiving numerous awards and recognition for his efforts. Andy has an Administration of Justice degree from San Jose City College. He lives within EDP’s Northwest region’s operating territory, bringing a deep knowledge of the company’s operations there.

Paige O’Dell

Region Vice President – Central

Paige joins EDP as Region Vice President – Central Region. With more than 30 years of propane industry experience, she has served in a variety of positions of increasing responsibility and has been recognized for her ability to execute business strategies, increase efficiencies, and foster business and operational resilience. Paige is also well-known for serving in leadership positions for multiple industry organizations. She served as Chair of the Women in LPG committee for the World LPG Association, and as both Vice-Chair and Membership Chair for the Women in Propane Council.