Nick Kuechenmeister promoted to general manager of Polk-Burnett Propane
Congratulations and thank you to retiring General Manager Todd Miller for 23 years of service and leadership!
Nick Kuechenmeister, right, was promoted to general manager of Polk-Burnett Propane by the propane board. He takes over for Todd Miller, left, who retired May 2.
As general manager, Nick provides leadership and direction to propane employees and ensures that Polk-Burnett Propane goals are carried out effectively and efficiently. This includes hiring and training employees, and maintaining the highest levels of safety in compliance with state and federal regulations.
A large part of the general manager’s job is also purchasing bulk propane so it can be sold at a competitive retail price. This means understanding external factors that affect the propane market, including domestic rail shipping and global oil supply.
Nick was hired by Polk-Burnett Propane in September 2019, the same day he retired from the Army National Guard with 27 years of service. During the past five years, he quickly moved up to serve as assistant manager, and now general manager.
Nick said his work today for Polk-Burnett Propane relies on many of the same skills he used in the National Guard, where he coordinated supply chain and logistics. The main difference he said, “I’m home in Frederic every night.”
“In both the military and at Polk-Burnett, my job is to take care of people. I’m here to make sure our people have the supplies and equipment they need,” said Nick. “I’m grateful for my coworkers and the great team at Polk-Burnett.”
In a conversation with both Nick and Todd, they shared that one of the greatest challenges Polk-Burnett Propane will face is finding good employees to cover upcoming retirements, especially qualified CDL drivers. Also challenging is finding trucks and equipment to keep propane deliveries, installations and service running smoothly; although, this is getting easier.
Looking to the future, Nick said Polk-Burnett Propane has a vision for controlled growth, especially in locations where we already have a dense customer base and efficient delivery routes.
“We have to take good care of the customers we currently have,” he said. “We know they like personal service, a live voice and convenient online options for ordering propane and making payments.”
Polk-Burnett Propane is a for-profit subsidiary of Polk-Burnett Electric Cooperative. It was established in 1996 by the electric co-op board to provide affordable propane with friendly service, competitive pricing and the highest safety standards.
