General Info

"In the early years, propane and butane were just a bi-product, " said Ken Green, the third-generation owner of Seminole-based Oklahoma Liquefied Gas. "They were vented into the atmosphere or burned until somebody figured out it has more value than that." Oklahoma Liquefied Gas founder J.O. Green was one of the early industry leaders who was able to sell the fuel profitaly. His company celebrated its 70th anniversary in 2007. The many usages for propane have included lighting, cooking, home and business heating and transportation fuels. The industry peaked in the early 1970's when nearly 1, 700 independent propane dealers did business in the state. Oklahoma Liquefied Gas is one of less than 300 of those still in business today. Consolidation helped grow the business. "A lot of our growth has been through acquiring people who were ready to retire and their kids didn't desire to go into the business, " Ken Green said. "It's amazing how many propane dealers' children went on to be doctors, lawyers or other professionals." Green continued, "They moved up a rung or two above mom and dad. We've had a lot of people who did well on their own and chose not to go into the industry. I think that is a compliment to the business that the industry was able to give children other opportunities." It is unclear at this point whether Ken's children will continue the family business. OLG Propane is also one of the even smaller number of propane companies still under family ownership into the third generation. "I came in at a time when I enjoyed this and I felt like I would be a part of it, " Green said. Ken grew up around the company. He began working at his father's store when he was 14 and drove a truck for the company when he was 18. Ken took over the company when he was 22, after his father died.