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

Chief Executive Officer

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

Thomas brings 30-plus years of executive, operations and transaction experience in the industry. After beginning his career at Ferrellgas – where he helped integrate the $400 million leveraged buyout of Buckeye Gas Products – Mr. Knauff 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 he co-founded Liberty Propane, ran its operations during the start-up period and served on its board until 2009. In 2012, Mr. Knauff launched Chicago-based Energy Distribution Partners.

Mr. Knauff has contributed articles on entrepreneurship and the energy industry to outlets such as Entrepreneur, BPN, and the Chicago Tribune.

Boyd H McGathey

President & Chief Operating 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. He has served in a variety of senior level positions where he managed retail operations, sales, safety, service quality, customer retention and profitability, among other responsibilities. Mr. McGathey 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 a number of multi-state marketers including Inergy Propane, Liberty Propane and Ferrellgas. Mr. McGathey is a Marine Corp. Veteran and Board Member of the International Young Gassers Association.

John Casper

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 building, scaling and leading 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, Mr. Casper 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. Mr. Casper received his Masters of Accountancy and a B.S. in Accounting and Finance from Miami University. He 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 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 throughout her career. 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 a bachelor’s degree from DePaul University and is currently attending Tulane University School of Law.

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 worked in business development and operations positions for major marketers including Heritage Propane and AmeriGas Partners, successfully closing on more than 100 acquisitions. Mr. Stroupe most recently served as president of Yankee Propane.

Chris Daly

Senior Vice President of Operations

Chris has more than 35 years of experience in the propane, heating oil, and HVAC industries…

Chris has more than 35 years of experience in the propane, heating oil, and HVAC industries, having held positions of increasing responsibility over the course of his career, including as Regional Vice-President. He is an experienced business professional with proven financial and operational success. Chris has extensive experience with multi-million dollar P&L management, multi-state operations management and acquisitions. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing from Bridgewater State University and a Master’s degree in Business Administration from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York.

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 started his own propane company in 2000, Quality Propane, which he successfully ran until 2014 when he sold it to EDP. He continued to run the business for two years and has since held the positions of Sales Director, Director of Projects, Regional Director of Operations and currently, Vice President of Safety. He has a track record of proven results in every position he has held throughout his career.

Daniel Dixon

VP of Corporate Development

Daniel has 25 years of propane industry experience…

Daniel has 25 years of propane industry experience. He began his career with Propane Resources, working with companies needing valuation, estate planning and sell side representation. His most recent position was Group Director of Business Development with AmeriGas. During his time in the industry, he has completed more than 60 transactions. Mr. Dixon is very active in industry associations, currently serving on the NPGA Board of Directors and was a past Chairman of the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC).

Jim Rushing

VP of Sustainability Strategies

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

Jim has over twenty-two years of industry experience with various Leadership positions that have involved acquisitions, large P&L operations management, lead staff support teams, project management, and effective implementation of safety training, policies, and procedures. Along with his extensive and impactful career, Jim is also a Veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve and served in the first Gulf War as a Combat Engineer and 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…

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 to maximize profitability, reduce overall expenses, and delivers strong organizational growth for current operations and acquisitions. Bill honorably served 20 years in the United States Air Force specifically within the fuels and logistics sectors, taking part in various leadership roles to drive success during his tenure. Bill graduated from Trident University in Cypress, CA with a Bachelor and Masters degrees in Business Administration, and is actively pursuing his Doctorate in Business Administration.

Merle Edington

Region Vice President – Southwest

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

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

Andy Fellman

Region Vice President – Northwest

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

Andy brings over 29 years of industry experience and has held many roles within the industry ranging from Service Tech to now Region Vice President and all Operational/Leadership positions in between. Andy has consistently demonstrated successful safety, financial, and operational performance in increasing levels of responsibilities throughout his career and will be a great addition to the EDP senior Leadership team. Andy has an Administration of Justice degree from San Jose college and lives within the Northwest region operating territory, bringing a great depth of knowledge of our 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…

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.