LP Gas Hall of Fame Inductee – Class of 2024
Mike Walters never intended to be in the propane industry.
Schooled at the New York State Academy of Fire Science and in the advanced life support paramedic program at Syracuse University, the New York native seemed destined for a career in the fire service.
All that changed when, having moved to California, he accepted a bobtail driving position with Pargas in the late 1970s.
Nearly 45 years later, Walters is recognized as one of the propane industry’s most respected safety and training professionals and subject matter experts. His safety career began in 1993 when AmeriGas promoted him from retail management to Northeast region safety director; he also became involved with safety from an industrywide perspective.
He’s a charter member and past chair of PERC’s Safety and Training Advisory Committee (now the safety and technical training working group). He’s been heavily involved with the industry’s Certified Employee Training Program (CETP), now working with PERC on creating, updating and transitioning that content into a modularized, function-based program.
In fact, his contributions to CETP impact all propane industry employees who are educated through that training. Walters also has volunteered his time to numerous NFPA and NPGA committees and codes and standards groups, as well as state propane associations.
He’s currently secretary of the OPGA. He received the NPGA Safety Award in 2018.