OTTAWA, May 31, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Canadian Propane Association (CPA) is pleased to announce the recipient of its prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award for 2016 is Steven Sparling, former CEO of Sparling’s Propane.
The CPA celebrates the leadership, commitment, and dedication of individuals through its annual Awards Program that also includes the PTI Trainer-of-the-Year and Student Scholarship awards.
“Identifying and applauding success is an important way to celebrate achievement in our industry,” said Nathalie St-Pierre, CPA President and CEO. “This year, we are delighted to recognize three individuals who have earned their place in the CPA Awards Program.”
The Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes recipients who have made significant and consistent outstanding contributions to advance the Canadian propane industry. It recognizes an individual who is regarded as possessing integrity, honesty, and the respect of their peers, and it is not given for a single contribution, but recognizes a lifetime of achievement in the industry.
“I am honoured that we are recognizing Steven Sparling who has devoted many years of his life to the propane industry,” said Guy Marchand, past Chair, CPA Board of Directors. “Steven’s passion, unwavering dedication, and compassion for those around him has helped lead and grow the propane industry not just in Ontario, but across Canada.”
Starting at the ground level and learning all aspects of the business gave Steven a unique perspective, and the ability to truly relate to everyone with whom he worked. During Steven’s time as CEO, Sparlings enjoyed dramatic growth, growing into one of the largest propane retailers in Canada. Throughout his career, Steven helped lead and grow the propane industry. He served as Founding Chairs for the Propane Industry Advisory Council, the previous Ontario Propane Association, and the CPA.
PTI Trainer Roy Kitchen is the recipient of the CPA’s new award, the PTI Propane Trainer-of-the-Year. This award celebrates engaging and inspiring Propane Training Institute trainers who are best in their class and achieve a level of excellence in the classroom. It is given for the hard work, dedication, and commitment that individuals provide to their students and to promoting safety in the industry.
Roy, a native of Wainfleet, Ontario, where he still resides, has been working in the propane industry for 32 years at Free Gas Company. Roy successfully trains about 80 courses per year, from a classroom setting with high-tech training equipment to dark factory back rooms and on the back of his truck.
The recipient of this year’s Student Scholarship Award is Luke Watson, whose family owns Vancouver Island Propane Services in British Columbia. Funded annually by the International Association of Young Gassers, this award provides financial assistance to recipients planning or pursuing a career related to the propane industry through post-secondary education at a Canadian vocational or trade school, community college, or university. Luke is enrolled at Camosum College to study Plumbing and Pipe Trades.
For more information about the CPA Member Awards, please visit www.propane.ca.
About the Canadian Propane Association
With over 400 members, the Canadian Propane Association (CPA) is the national association for a growing, multi-billion dollar industry that impacts the livelihood of tens of thousands of Canadians. The CPA develops and produces industry training materials, offers an emergency response assistance plan to its members and provides advocacy services for the propane industry.
Attachments:
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/713e25c0-1d5d-448b-b2a1-60ee9d7d92eb
Attachments:
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f0779e45-67df-4ed3-a65b-85ab4eba6a50