Energy, Oil & Gas Magazine Issue 219 March 2024 | Page 74

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If you look at our history , it ’ s clear to see that we ’ re a company of constant evolution ; we originally started out in industrial gas , before transitioning to propane

From its early days as a welding and gas supplier in the New York City area to its current position as one of the largest privately held propane companies in the US , Paraco continuously places customers at the forefront of its operation . The business has gained a strong reputation in the Northeast and has evolved its operations to align with industry changes and evolutions , particularly amid rising concerns over sustainability .

Created by visionary entrepreneur , Pat Armentano in 1968 , the business remains under family ownership , with Pat ’ s son , Joe , at the helm as CEO , supported by thirdgeneration family member , Christina , who occupies the position of COO .
As talk turns to the company ’ s current operations , Christina shares an overview of its history . “ We originally started off in the industrial gas business under the name PATSEMS in Westchester County , New York , from a small garage in Mount Vernon NY . We entered the propane market in 1979 , and since the purchase of Paraco Gas Corp in Peekskill NY we have grown tremendously within the propane market . We ’ ve undergone a total of 60 acquisitions throughout our history to expand our capabilities and operational footprint . We are proud to have a stellar reputation for purchasing and transitioning acquisitions . Today , as one of the top propane marketers in
the US , we serve more than 120,000 customers across eight different states .
“ We provide over 60 million gallons of propane every year to service a range of different applications for both residential and commercial use . People think propane is just used for fueling your barbecue , but it has so many more uses , from heating hot water for cooking to supporting outdoor living by heating pools and fueling fire pits . In fact , less then 40 percent of our overall business is used
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