Kane Kuehl invests himself in future of propane

Kane Kuehl, Central Valley Ag energy sales manager and the new president of the Iowa Propane Gas Association Board, invests himself in his work, his community and his family. Along with his work on the IPGA board, Kane has served a number of community and business organizations and coached community sports teams, including some that his four children participate in. "I just like to be involved," he said. "I like to be involved in the propane industry and athletics, to help out and make it better than it was before. I put time in and do what i can to help out and push things in the right direction." 

Born and raised in Sioux City, Kane attended Bishop Heelan Catholic High School and Morningside College, playing football and graduating with a degree in Business Administration and a minor in Human Resources. Living in or near Sioux City his whole life, Kane has also worked for the same companies, Cenex Harvest States (CHS) and Central Valley Ag (CVA), for 14 years. 

Kane began his career at a production facility called Solbar in Dakota City, Nebraska, just south of Sioux City. "I worked on the food side as production supervisor on the night shift for three years," he said. "It was hard, with a young family at home, being gone at night, so I found an opening on the energy side at CHS, a regional co-op that bought out Solbar."  

Becoming a Certified Energy Specialist, Kane worked in energy sales in LeMars for three years before being hired by CVA as Operations Manager for Northwest Iowa. He still works for CVA now in the position of Energy Sales Manager, covering parts of Iowa, South Dakota, Nebraska and Kansas, providing customers with propane, diesel, gasoline, lubricants, as well as miscellaneous supplies and equipment. 

Telling the Propane Story

While Kane spends much of his time in the office, what he enjoys most is getting out and working with people in the various industries he serves. "A lot of our industry is farmers, people in rural America, just good people," he said. "I wear jeans and boots and go talk with people and do a little work while I'm at it. I can go out and ride with my sales team, ride with our drivers, my operations managers, get out in the field and go see our customers and see what's happening out there." 

One thing he has observed is what he calls the "growing green wave" of energy. "They're trying to get away from fossil fuels-diesel and gas and propane," said Kane. "That's a challenge. We're in an industry where things are becoming more efficient, so growth is tougher because of all the different energy sources that are out there now. There's a lot of misinformation about the products we offer, and misinformation about the other energy products that are offered." 

Kane recognizes the importance of organizations like IPGA to fight the "green wave," to grow the propane industry and give it a voice. "People need to hear our story," he said, "and IPGA educates everyone on propane and its benefits and what it has to offer." It's a clean burning energy source. There is plenty of it. It's very safe." 

Hours of service and finding qualified employees are two challenges yet to be solved for the propane industry, according to Kane. He recognizes extended hours of service for delivery drivers during times of high demand is part of the solution. Hiring more drivers would also help, but increasing the number of available drivers is complicated. "DOT regulations and requirements have made it very difficult to hire and retain employees and find anyone with experience," he said. "If there's no experience, it's very difficult to get people licensed and trained." 

Making family memories 

When Kane is not in the office or on the road talking to customers, he is probably at some kind of sporting event, either coaching, watching or participating. "My kids play about every sport there is," he said. "I coach pretty much everything so I'm very heavily involved in things. I'm the youth football director for Bishop Heelan 3rd-6th grade, with 120 some kids out, so this fall has been very busy for me." 

Kane and his wife, Mandi, have two boys and two girls. Mandi has been a second grade teacher at Bishop Heelan for 17 years. Their oldest son, Carter, is at the University of Iowa studying business. He's also a member of the U.S. Air Force 185th Air Refueling Wing in Sioux City. Middle schooler Charlie is a good student who loves athletics. Younger sister Milly is a two-time gymnastics champion, and six-year-old Elsy loves dance and cheerleading. 

When he's not attending a sporting event, Kane enjoys golfing at the Dakota Dunes Country Club. He has never achieved a hole-in-one, but Mandi has. "She's golfed like four times in her life," he said. "I don't play enough. I joined a golf league as an excuse to play more, but it's hard to make time when we have so much going on." 

The Kuehl family also enjoys making memories at the Lake Okoboji home that's been in their family for three generations. "That's our happy place, Lake Okoboji," said Kane. "We try to get up there a few times a summer, but that's harder and harder as the kids get older and they're more involved in activities. On the 4th of July, we like to go out on the boat and watch the fireworks and listen to their 'American playlist.' I've maybe missed five times in my whole life." 

Even though they've lived their whole lives in the Sioux City area, the Kuehl family also loves to travel. "We went to Paris and traveled across Germany last year," said Kane. "The year before that we went to Hawaii. We love to make memories with the kids."