Richard Van Orden III
PERC Energy Ambassador
Richard Van Orden III
Star Group LP
Richard Van Orden III has worked in nearly every corner of the propane industry over the past few decades, from delivery and installations to service, inspections, hands-on training, and operations management. He is currently one of the Propane Training Managers at Star Group LP, where he oversees various locations’ compliance, technical instruction, and safety standards across multiple regions, with a focus on New Jersey and New York. Richard also serves as a propane industry first responder for emergency calls when they come in; sometimes as far north as New England and as far south as the Mid-Atlantic, if needed. When the phone rings, he goes. That’s the job.
In 2025, Richard was honored to be appointed as a Leadership in Energy Ambassador for the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC), a role that allows him to help align national innovation with local practice. He is proud to represent New Jersey, New York, and other regions in the field, and to help champion the important work being done across the industry. As he has said: we all play a role in propane’s future. Make a difference.
Outside of that role, Richard serves as Treasurer on the New Jersey Propane Gas Association’s Board of Directors and as Chair of the Education & Safety Committee. He cares deeply about helping the next generation grow confident and skilled, and he has always believed you can’t teach what you haven’t lived. Whether mentoring a student, working with a new hire, or in the field with a seasoned tech, he meets people where they are and helps them do the job well, and do it safely.
When he’s not on the road, on a call, training, or at a board meeting, Richard is probably at the racetrack. A long-time racecar driver, that part of his life reminds him how important precision, focus, and staying steady under pressure really is. Whether it’s a day in the shop or a crisis in the field, he believes in showing up fully, without shortcuts, giving 110%. That mindset has carried him through more than a few of the toughest days.
Richard is also a proud father of two daughters who keep him grounded and remind him daily that the real legacy we leave behind isn’t just in the work… it’s in the way we show up, the example we set, and the values we pass on.
That’s why he’s still here: to do the work, support the people doing it, and serve this industry with all he’s got.