For over a decade, Michael Stivala, President and CEO, has steered Suburban Propane through a period of significant transformation.
He’s seamlessly blended Suburban Propane’s nearly century-long legacy with a forward-looking commitment to innovation – empowering the company to continue meeting its over one million customers’ evolving energy needs across 42 states, while also investing in future-forward renewables.
Before leading a 42-state energy giant, Mike’s journey began with humble aspirations and a deep-seated desire to make a tangible impact in his home state of New Jersey. Below, Mike shares his journey and the learnings that got him to where he is today.
Michael, tell me about how you came to be CEO? Where did you start and how did that influence where you are now?
My journey to become CEO didn’t start overnight, and perhaps that’s what best prepared me for the role of leading Suburban Propane today. In fact, at 14, my first job was collecting trash on the beaches of New Jersey! This instilled work ethic and the importance of every role.
I started my professional life at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) after attending Rutgers University, which gave me a strong accounting and financial foundation – something I believe is critical for any leader.
I joined Suburban Propane in 2001, and since then, I’ve had the privilege of serving in various roles, from Controller and Chief Accounting Officer to Chief Financial Officer, and ultimately, CEO and President in 2014.
Part of what helped prepare me for my current role was my dedication to learning not just the business from a financial standpoint, but a broader cross-functional knowledge of the company.
You’ve been at Suburban Propane for nearly 25 years. What drew you there originally, and what’s kept you there?
What initially drew me to Suburban Propane was the unique opportunity to join a New Jersey-based company with a profound commitment to both local communities and national impact.
Our founder, Mark Anton, started this company in 1928 to deliver propane gas in compressed bottles to homes, and we’ve proudly carried on his legacy into the 21st century.
Suburban Propane is truly a great American entrepreneurial story – a company with a rich history, a deeply ingrained culture of service, and a critical role in providing essential energy to approximately one million residential, commercial, industrial, and agricultural customers across 42 states.
What’s kept me here for over 23 years is mutual loyalty. It takes time to establish yourself, build relationships, and demonstrate value. Suburban Propane fosters an environment where that dedication is recognized, and I’m immensely proud that over 25% of our employees have been with us for more than 15 years.
Over the span of your career, what have you learned firsthand about success?
One of the most profound lessons I’ve learned is that success is never a destination, but a continuous journey. You don’t ‘make it’ and then you’re done. Success is about continuously striving above and beyond and setting new goals after an accomplishment.
Sustainable success stems from this commitment to perpetual learning, adaptability, and commitment to growth. This applies equally to individuals and organizations. I’ve spent decades as a business leader, and I’ve never stopped learning along the way.
As a company in the energy sector where technology, regulations, and consumer needs are constantly evolving, we can’t afford to rest on past achievements. We must champion life-long learning to anticipate what’s next and how we can improve.
What’s the best advice you’ve received that you would share with the younger generation?
Work hard, stay humble, and surround yourself with the best people. There’s no single formula for success, and it will look different for everyone. But by grounding yourself in doing good work, accepting both success and ‘failures’ and having colleagues that teach and uplift you, you’re setting yourself up for success.
What’s one of your proudest accomplishments at the company?
One of my proudest accomplishments at Suburban Propane has been guiding the company through a transformative era that balanced growth, innovation, and our nearly centurylong legacy of reliability and community commitment. Under my leadership, we invested more than $2.5 billion in strategic acquisitions, expanded our propane footprint, and launched Suburban Renewables to diversify into lower carbon solutions; such as renewable propane, renewable natural gas, renewable dimethyl ether, and hydrogen.
We strengthened our position as the third largest propane provider in the U.S., serving over one million customers across 42 states, while deepening our community impact through initiatives like SuburbanCares® and our national partnership with the American Red Cross. We also became the Official Propane Provider of NASCAR, pioneering the sport’s first ever propane-powered track dryers and delivering innovative fan focused energy solutions. This achievement stands out because it wasn’t just about business growth, it was about leaving the company stronger, more forward thinking, and more deeply connected to the communities we serve.
In an evolving economic landscape, where do you envision the company tomorrow?
One thing I’ve learned is that change is constant. My vision for Suburban Propane is rooted in our ability to be nimble through strategic flexibility and proactive innovation to keep us in tomorrow’s future. Building on our nearly century-long history, I see the company growing in step with the evolving market demand.
And, as a proud American-based company, we’re committed to our country’s leadership in global energy production. To maintain our position, we are intentionally expanding beyond traditional propane to offer readily available, lower carbon solutions. Over the last five years, we have strategically invested over $300 million to build a diversified renewable energy portfolio, encompassing lower carbon intensity renewable propane, significant investments in renewable natural gas (RNG), and strategic investments in clean hydrogen.
This comprehensive strategy is about continuing to foster the growth of our core propane business while investing in the energy transition, building a renewable energy platform and setting the business up to be a trusted localized energy distributor for the next century.
What do you wish more people understood about propane?
For many, propane is just for barbecues, but it is one of the most versatile and essential energy sources available. It’s easy to handle, transport, and deliver on-site for immediate use – whether it’s powering warehouses, businesses, farms, homes for cooking and heating, or providing crucial backup power during emergencies and grid failures.
Additionally, our partnership with NASCAR and Speedway Motorsports, showcases propane’s versatility in race day operations, from track dryers to concessions and campers.
Propane also burns cleaner than many other fossil fuels, producing fewer greenhouse gas emissions and pollutants. This makes it an excellent choice for those looking to minimize their carbon footprint.
What’s even more exciting is the advent of renewable propane, which has an even lower carbon intensity score. We’re actively exploring innovative applications for renewable propane. For example, through our partnership with Spark Charge, we’re deploying mobile EV fast chargers powered by renewable propane, offering a cleaner alternative to traditional grid charging.
This is just one example of how our lower carbon fuels can be used to collectively play a significant role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions in our communities. We are proving that sustainable energy solutions can be practical, versatile, and readily available today.
Where do you think the industry is headed?
The energy industry is at a pivotal moment. Climate change is a significant driver of transformation, impacting businesses and daily lives globally. Concurrently, energy demand is growing, particularly with the rapid acceleration of technologies like AI and the increasing demand for data centers, which require reliable and substantial power. Now more than ever, it’s crucial to anticipate these trends and be prepared to meet them head-on.
Ultimately, I see propane playing a crucial role as a bridge fuel in our transition to a fully renewable energy infrastructure. Its clean burning properties and lower carbon emissions make it an ideal choice for reducing our environmental impact while we develop and integrate more advanced renewable energy solutions.
We are committed to being a part of this transition, innovating and investing in solutions that not only serve our customers today, but also contribute to a healthier planet tomorrow — because the future truly starts with the actions we take today.
Outside of business, how do you balance work and life without compromising either?
I dedicate time and energy to each. I see them as two essential parts of who I am. When I’m at work and leading over three thousand people, I focus my energy to making smart decisions and holding the responsibility and safety of all our company’s key stakeholders.
The same goes for family. When I’m with my family or friends, they get all of me. As a husband and father, I have a responsibility to my wife and children to be present.
As we look towards an ever-evolving future, do you have any parting words or advice for the current and future business leaders of tomorrow?
I’ve always been a believer that hard work will ultimately pay off in growth opportunities, both personally and professionally. As I tell my kids – your willingness to strive for excellence will be the differentiating factor in workplace success.
Aiming to ‘out work’ your peers, setting new standards and taking responsibility for your work will not only demonstrate your value as a leader, but it will also prepare you for the constant drive that is necessary to achieve meaningful growth. The world and future have always been uncertain and the best we can do is to focus on what is within our control, and do our absolute best to execute on that.
Michael Stivala is a visionary President & CEO at the helm of Suburban Propane Partners, L.P. (NYSE: SPH), a nearly century-old energy leader and one of the top three largest domestic propane and energy providers in the U.S. In his nearly 25 years with Suburban Propane, Michael has cultivated a safety-first culture underpinned by a clear strategic vision. Overseeing a $1.3 billion market capitalization and operations across 42 states serving 1.0 million customers, Michael is directing Suburban Propane towards a cleaner, more sustainable future through significant investments in innovative energy solutions. A proud New Jersey native, Michael resides in the state with his family.
