LP Gas Hall of Fame Inductee – Class of 2015
Some say Bertelsmeyer, a 40-year veteran of the propane industry, wrote the book on how to build a “company of companies” through acquisitions.
He founded Heritage Propane in 1989 and helped take it public in 1996. The retail propane operation grew to become the third largest in the United States, but the process of how it acquired more than 175 companies became notable.
Acquired companies retained their original name and many of their employees. Heritage also implemented an efficient pushdown management style, leaving a majority of operational decisions in the field. This led to strong customer retention. As a former president of the NPGA board, Bertelsmeyer led a successful grassroots effort against risk management regulations proposed by the federal government.
Bertelsmeyer held positions with Conoco and Buckeye Gas Products before becoming president of Buckeye Gas.
He also served a term on the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC).