A Journey of Growth and Connection
At RCC, we’re not just about creating great software—we’re passionate about serving the propane industry. And we’ve got some exciting news that showcases this dedication: our very own Head of Business Growth, Freddie Ridler, has been appointed to the National Propane Gas Association (NPGA) Board of Directors as a Services Section Director, one of only four such positions in the entire organization!
From Lost Puppy to Industry Leader
Looking back to winter 2022, when Freddie first attended an NPGA Board of Directors meeting, things were a bit different. “We were definitely newcomers, feeling like lost puppies but eager to learn,” shares RCC’s second-generation co-owner and Head of Support, Jess Balderston. But true to RCC’s spirit, sitting on the sidelines wasn’t an option.
Fast forward to today, and you might find it hard to believe those “lost puppy” days ever existed.
When I’m with Freddie at these meetings, it’s like walking around with a celebrity. You get stopped everywhere you go and people want to talk to you. -Jess Balderston
This didn’t happen by accident. Freddie made it his mission to connect with people across the industry, setting a goal to meet 5-10 new people at every event. But for him, it was never about collecting business cards or building a contact list. “I set myself a goal every single trip to meet between five and ten people that I don’t know and have a conversation with—again, not just exchange business cards like you’re at a sales booth, but to get to know them on a personal level,” Freddie explains.
“Every conversation I have, I go into it thinking ‘this is going to be interesting,'” he shares. His genuine curiosity and desire to learn from others has been the key to building meaningful relationships. “I want to know… What’s their role in the propane industry? What is their highlight? How did they get there? What mentorship can they share?”
Nancy Coop, founder of Women in Propane, recognized this authenticity early on. When Freddie expressed feeling intimidated at his first board meeting, she offered wisdom that would shape his approach: “They’re all people. We are all family. Remember that.” This mindset of treating everyone like family, coupled with a genuine desire to learn from others’ experiences, has helped Freddie build a network of true industry friendships rather than just professional connections.
Contributing to Industry Growth
As one of four Services Section Directors on the NPGA Board, Freddie joins a distinguished group of industry leaders working together to support and advance the propane industry. His appointment represents RCC’s commitment to being an active participant in shaping the industry’s future.
“I want to share the story of RCC,” Freddie says passionately. “I want to share the story of what we do, what we give back. Our engagement in the industry, our engagement with associations, our engagements with the marketers out in the industry.”
This dedication to industry involvement helps RCC better understand and serve our customers’ evolving needs while contributing to the broader growth and success of the propane industry.
Making Propane Sexy—and Making a Difference
If you know Freddie, you know he’s the force behind our “Making Propane Sexy” campaign. But this isn’t just about a catchy slogan—it’s about bringing excitement and innovation to the industry. “I want to share the story about how we’re making propane sexy, not in the sense of ‘Well, it’s a funny slogan,’ but why we do it—the excitement behind it,” he explains.
This enthusiasm hasn’t gone unnoticed. As one industry veteran recently shared, “It’s really cool that RCC has a representative that goes out and leaves their family, leaves their work, leaves their workload, everything behind… you give a damn of what’s going on in the propane industry.”
Looking ahead with big goals
With this new role, Freddie has his sights set on even bigger goals, including potentially serving as the Services Section Committee Chair in the future. But at the heart of it all is his commitment to the propane industry and the people who keep it running.
“At the end of the day,” Freddie reflects, “we don’t just sell a software product—we’re selling us. We’re selling our service.” And now, with a seat on the NPGA Board of Directors, he’s in an even better position to contribute to the growth and success of the entire propane industry.
We couldn’t be prouder to have Freddie representing RCC at this level. As one customer put it, when you’re choosing a software provider, you need to look at “who those representatives are and what they do and where they’re going and what they’re sharing.” With Freddie on the NPGA Board of Directors, we’re showing exactly who we are—a company that’s committed to not just serving the propane industry, but helping shape its future.
Want to learn more about how RCC is making waves in the industry?
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