About
Tops Propane

A glimpse into the history and making of the desert’s long standing family owned Propane Business.

Who we are

Family owned and operated for nearly 30 years; From the shore of Salton Sea, TOPS Propane Inc. will go the extra mile to ensure their customers’ needs are met! At Tops Propane, we’re dedicated to providing personalized service that puts you first. What does this mean? It means you’ll have the convenience of speaking with the same friendly face whenever you reach out to us. Whether it’s our office staff or our delivery drivers and service technicians, we want you to feel like you’re talking to a familiar friend, not just another number in a call center. With Tops Propane, you can count on receiving the utmost care and attention for your propane needs in the Coachella Valley.

tops propane tank

WHAT WE DO

Simply filling a propane tank is not how things are done at TOPS Propane. Every service call is full-service call. Ensuring each tank is properly hooked up and in good shape is the bare minimum for these professionals. Other than your usual service call, TOPS Propane offers tank setting for all customers in residential areas to ensure the best use of their products. Looking to get into the propane game? Each technician is fully equipped and training to properly convert your previous electrical or natural gas stove or ranges for propane use. While we are there, we can troubleshoot any issues or concerns you may have about your appliances that use propane. Running propane lines and repairing damage tanks are just a couple more things our skilled team can and will do!

Innovation

We’re always on the lookout for the latest advancements in propane technology to better serve you. That’s why we’ve implemented new systems like propane monitors, which are remote gauges that provide real-time readings of your tank’s fuel level. With this technology, you can rest assured that you’ll never run out of propane unexpectedly, especially during those chilly winter months when staying warm is essential.

Strong Relationships

Over the years, Tops Propane has forged strong relationships with supply points across California and neighboring states. These connections allow us to offer competitive prices per gallon and ensure a steady supply of propane, even during peak demand in the winter. With Tops Propane, you can trust that you’ll always have access to reliable and affordable propane services.

Responsibility

At Tops Propane, we take full responsibility for any mistakes or malfunctions that may occur. Whether it’s a miscalculation or property damage, our highly trained employees are equipped to handle any situation with professionalism and care. All of our drivers and service technicians undergo CETP certification, a rigorous training program developed by the Propane Education and Research Council. This ensures that our team has the knowledge and skills necessary to perform their duties safely and efficiently, giving you peace of mind knowing that your propane needs are in good hands.

Community Driven

Being in the Coachella Valley for 40+ years, we have made friends that we consider family. The one thing that matters to us more than propane is family! TOPS Propane Inc. loves to give back to the community. A lot of our community fundraisers come from hosting horseshoe tournaments that allow 100% of the proceeds to go to the causes that we support including medical bill assistance for young children across the valley. Other fundraisers that we participated in including toy drivers, bike fundraisers, funeral cost assistance, and Breast Cancer Awareness. No matter what it is, if it helps our community, we will do what we can!

History

Alfredo Olivas, now a sixty-five-year-old entrepreneur, once dreamed of becoming a businessman when he was twenty-five. Today, he is the proud owner and operator of TOPS Propane Inc., one of the most prosperous propane companies in the Coachella Valley.

Humble Beginnings

Alfredo Olivas was born in Texas and raised in Central California, but his upbringing was far from perfect. His parents were immigrants who worked in the fields of Fresno, California. At the young age of sixteen, Olivas became a father when his wife Esther gave birth in Fresno. In the early 1980s, the couple decided to move their family to the Coachella Valley. While living with relatives in Mecca, California, they worked hard and saved money to buy their own home. Finally, in 1982, they were able to purchase a one-bedroom, one-bathroom house on a five-acre plot of land in Desert Hot Springs, California. Despite their modest living situation, they saw it as an opportunity for growth and prosperity.

From Starting up,
to Dominating the market

With their savings and a desire to provide for their family, Olivas teamed up with his cousin Efran Tarango to start their own business. They purchased their first service truck and founded Tarango and Olivas Propane Services. Olivas took charge and began servicing their local neighbors. He also made a deliberate effort to cater to nearby RV and trailer parks. Initially, their efforts went unnoticed, yielding limited results. However, Olivas gradually built a strong relationship with the parks he regularly visited, and word-of-mouth promotion proved invaluable. “Word of mouth really propelled our business forward!” Olivas exclaimed.

Tarango and Olivas Propane Services faced its biggest challenge when Olivas’s son, Alfredo “Freddy” Olivas Jr., joined the family business. Olivas bought out his cousin Efran Tarango, becoming the sole owner, and welcomed his son into the company. Thus, TOPS Propane Inc. was born.

“Freddy has been the driving force behind our business for a while now. I can’t imagine where we would be without him,” Olivas proudly stated. Freddy joined the company at the age of sixteen and started handling service calls and tank setups at eighteen.

The idea of expansion has dominated their recent endeavors. In 2002, Olivas purchased an acre of land in Salton Sea, where he established an 18,000-gallon propane tank as a central hub for pickups and deliveries in the Coachella Valley. TOPS Propane Inc. also invested in a new service truck, effectively doubling their daily service call capacity. With the company always welcoming new customers in the Coachella Valley, the future looks bright for this flourishing family-owned business.