The Voice of Tamria Zertuche, CEO of Ferrellgas

The Voice spoke with Tamria Zertuche, CEO of Ferrellgas to hear her thoughts about the key objectives and drivers for Ferrellgas, emphasising the importance of an engaged and empowered workforce, the opportunities in the US propane market, her commitment to promoting diversity, and the benefits of Ferrellgas' membership in the World Liquid Gas Association.

The Voice: Since you were appointed CEO of Ferrellgas last year, what do you feel are your key objectives and key drivers for Ferrellgas going forward?

Tamria Zertuche: The heart of Ferrellgas is its people. In fact, the employees of Ferrellgas are owners. They each share in the ownership of the company through our Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) but more importantly through their owner’s mindset. The key driver to our success, and in my opinion the success of any company, is to have a workforce of highly engaged and empowered professionals who are focused on growth, efficiency, and safety. My key objective is to continue the transformation of our company by growing our business through operational excellence, consolidation, and strategic opportunities. These goals will only be achieved through the exceptional performance of our employee-owners.

TV: What do you believe are the key opportunities for the US market in general?

TZ: One of the things you hear from industry professionals in the US propane market is the deep appreciation we all have for the many customers we serve. Opportunities in the US market mirror the characteristics of the professionals working in this industry, including innovation and invention of new product uses, streamlining of product supply and delivery, and simplifying the customer journey. Opportunities for leveraging portable, clean, and affordable propane are found in many customer segments and geographies. The highly tenured professionals in the US market will take full advantage of those opportunities.

TV: As a former, and well deserved, WINLPG Woman of the Year, how do you help promote diversity in your company? Ferrellgas also has two Youth Council members, how important is driving young talent today?

TZ: This is an important question, thank you for asking it.  Ferrellgas is a company of highly tenured employee-owners who are motivated by the social purpose of our company and this industry: bringing essential warmth and comfort to customers.  Many of our drivers, customer service representatives, and managers have been with Ferrellgas for more than 25 years. These wonderful employee-owners work hard each day and share their knowledge with new professionals joining our company. These tenured employees want their customers to be cared for and this company to be successful.  Our desire to continue to add new professionals to our work force is directly tied to our pride in what we do and who we serve, and the longevity that new professionals ensure.

I have not forgotten the first part of your question. It is an important query as well.  I help to promote diversity by simply ensuring Ferrellgas stays the meritocracy it has always been. I joined the company 25 years ago as a young mother of three very young children.  Ferrellgas allowed me to put my family in a priority position, as well as supported my higher education goals, all while promoting me through the levels of middle and upper management.  Ferrellgas was singularly focused on what I was capable of contributing, and the company provided me with an environment where I could thrive and grow. Ferrellgas simply supports, advocates, and upholds a performance-based environment. Diversity is a bi-product of this open pipeline, which is focused on finding the best talent.

TV: Ferrellgas is a longstanding member of the World Liquid Gas Association, and of course an Industry Council member, what do you feel are the key benefits of your membership?

TZ: Ferrellgas is a learning organisation. We strive for continuous improvement and the consistent opportunity to become better. A key component of continuous improvement is information. WLGA provides several different platforms to acquire information. From Industry Council meetings to LPG Week and Expos, the WLGA connects people from all around the world and facilitates highly effective information exchange and key relationship building.

TV: Anything else you may wish to add?

TZ: As a Hispanic woman leading a major propane company in the US it has been very satisfying to see women continue to take leadership roles in our industry and throughout the world. A segment of the WLGA is the WINLPG council. This group is not just for or about women. Instead, it is supported by people around the world, in our industry, of all backgrounds. WINLPG are professionals who simply believe that everyone has talents to share and knowledge to exchange. There need not be a gender barrier to leadership, not anywhere and not in our industry. I was especially proud to see this goal in action at the recent LPG Week in Rome, Italy.

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