A First for Ergon Asia: Interns Gain International Experience

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At Ergon, we are dedicated to investing in future leaders. Through interactive, hands-on engagement, we aim to provide opportunities that help students gain invaluable knowledge and develop expertise for their professional careers. 

Ergon Asia hosted the first class of interns in April 2026 as part of an eight-week internship program. This opportunity allowed two students to learn about our operations, processes and companies around the world. We appreciate our interns’ commitment to gaining real-world experience and connecting with industry professionals. 

An Opportunity Like No Other 

As Rhyan Plumlee, Vice President – Sales, noted, Ergon partners with Global Academic Ventures (GAV) to help bring study abroad opportunities to students around the world. GAV assists applicants by connecting them with companies, interviews and learning opportunities. They reached out to see if Ergon Asia would be interested in hosting interns.  

For Hope Rosen and Jozelyn Chen, Ergon Asia’s first two interns, it was an opportunity they simply couldn’t pass up. 

“Being one of the first interns here is really cool because everyone here is just so kind and so sweet,” Hope said gleefully. 

The New Jersey native and junior at Elon University, studying supply chain management and economic consulting, shared that the opportunity stood out from the beginning. “The employees were so welcoming, and it seemed like they had exciting projects in store for us. I feel like we’ve been able to work on a lot of interesting and insightful projects,” Hope said. 

Hailing from Long Island, New York, Jozelyn Chen, a senior at Bucknell University majoring in accounting with a minor in Chinese, shared similar sentiments. 

“Ergon was one of the only companies that asked me, ‘How did this impact your life? How did studying abroad previously impact your personal and professional career?’ Jozelyn shared. “Being the only company that asked me those questions, I felt a warm presence from them. They wanted to get to know me and work with me. But this was an interactive experience, too. I would get to work with a company and integrate myself within their operations, which was what I wanted.” 

And they did just that. 

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The first day started with in-depth research into Ergon’s history, operations and functions. 

“I learned how operations worked in the oil industry, especially transformer oils. I also learned about supply chain management, along with demand and forecasting,” Hope noted.

Then it was time to take it up a notch. 

“For demand planning, I was able to work on projects analyzing incoterms and free trade agreements (FTAs). Jozelyn and I worked on that together. Another thing I’ve been doing is creating a weekly newsletter, updating everyone on what’s currently happening in the supply chain,” she continued.  

Jozelyn loved having the opportunity to gain additional finance experience and expand her horizons outside her comfort zone. She also participated in acquisition target analysis and researching companies.

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Home Away From Home 

Thousands of miles from home, Ergon’s family-like culture created a familiar feeling. From sitting in on meetings and listening to the Ergon Asia team collaborate, Hope and Jozelyn said they were fully integrated into project planning, forecasting and team bonding activities. 

“A bunch of people from the office all went on a bike ride together at one of the parks, and then we went out for seafood afterward. It was fun getting to bond. When it was my birthday, everyone surprised me with a cake. When they say the Ergon culture is like family, I feel like it truly is because everyone just bonds together, and the environment is just so great,” Hope reflected. 

Jozelyn added, “It shows a lot of their dedication to helping us grow and helping us learn. They took the time to meet with me and talk through my projects and what they do. It was really helpful, too.” 

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Looking Ahead to the Future 

As their internship with Ergon Asia approached its final week, each took home an invaluable experience that will guide them in their career paths. 

“One thing that I’ll definitely apply to my career journey is finding an environment that mirrors Ergon,” Jozelyn said. “Also, working with so many of the financial aspects and interpreting and researching finances for Ergon broadened my horizons into looking beyond accounting and exploring what else I could do outside of typical industries.” 

“I’ve learned what type of leadership I want to look up to and what type of leader I would potentially want to become one day. I learned a lot more about global shipping and truly how current events impact everyday supply chain activities,” Hope added. 

After wrapping up their experience as Ergon Asia’s first interns, they shared a piece of advice for students interested in studying abroad: Take advantage of every opportunity, learn the ropes and connect with your team members. We remain committed to investing in future generations so they, too, can not only learn about our organization, but become leaders across several fields in our industry.

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Good luck, Hope and Jozelyn!

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Run It Like You Own It

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After nearly 50 years at Ergon’s Knoxville terminal, Charlie Lynch reflects on the people, passion and responsibilities that defined his career. 

For five decades, Charles ‘Charlie’ Lynch has walked Ergon’s Knoxville terminal like someone tending to a home. 

He notices everything: a piece of paper near the loading rack. A handrail that needs a fresh coat of yellow paint. A strange sound coming from a pump in the middle of the night.  

Even after decades at the terminal — and years spent managing it — no job is too small for Lynch. 

“I’m not going to ask my guys to do something that I wouldn’t do or couldn’t do,” Lynch said. “If they’re busy and I need trucks loaded, I’m loading trucks.” 

That mindset has shaped both Lynch’s career and the culture of the Knoxville terminal itself — a small but busy terminal tucked along the Tennessee River that has consistently evolved alongside the industry. 

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Doing Whatever Needs Doing 

When Lynch first arrived at the Knoxville terminal in 1977, the operation looked much different than it does today. At the time, the facility was owned by the Krug family, who had started the company in 1954 — the same year Leslie Lampton Sr. founded Ergon. 

Lynch began as a terminal operator, loading trucks, filling tanks and helping maintain equipment during long weeks that often stretched into weekends. 

“You did everything,” Lynch said. “Whatever had to be done, we did.” 

Over the years, he learned every corner of the operation, from electrical work to heat tracing, general maintenance, loading operations and quality control. Eventually, he worked his way up from operator to assistant manager. In June 2007, Lynch took on the role of Terminal Manager — which he’s held ever since. 

His hands-on experience became one of the Knoxville terminal’s defining strengths. 

“If they call me in the middle of the night and tell me something’s wrong at panel seven or on a tank, I know exactly what they’re talking about,” Lynch said. “Experience is the world’s greatest teacher.” 

Today, the Knoxville terminal sits on roughly 16 acres and stores asphalt products delivered primarily by barge before being loaded onto trucks and shipped throughout the region. The facility includes 15 tanks with approximately 200,000 barrels of storage capacity. But ask Lynch what matters most about the operation, and his answer has little to do with numbers. 

“Obviously, we want to do right by our customers and their products,” said Lynch. “But our number one priority is safety. And if we’re staying safe, that naturally means we’re doing a good job for those customers.” 

Raising the Safety Standard 

Safety has long been a priority at the terminal, and that focus was further strengthened after Ergon acquired the facility in 2007.  

Lynch admits the transition initially brought uncertainty. Like many employees who have experienced acquisitions in the industry, he wondered what changes might come. But he trusted the judgment of former owner Jim Krug, who believed Ergon was the right fit. 

“When Mr. Lampton talked to him, that was it. Mr. Krug knew who to sell it to,” Lynch said. “And he sold it to the right person.” 

What followed was a transformation in training, safety systems and operational support that left a lasting impression on Lynch. 

“I was really impressed by Ergon’s commitment to safety and training,” said Lynch. “They brought in people from across the organization — I’d never seen such a comprehensive safety training program. I was all for it, because at the end of the day, we want everybody to go home like they came to work.” 

Over time, that philosophy became deeply embedded in the terminal’s culture. Lynch speaks about safety less as a requirement and more as a responsibility — something built through repetition, mentorship and ownership. 

“Safety is a way of life,” he said. “It’s not something you just think about. You have to live it.” 

Pride in the Details 

That same sense of ownership shows up everywhere around the Knoxville terminal. 

The facility is known for its clean appearance, bright yellow handrails and meticulous housekeeping — details Lynch insists matter just as much as production numbers.  

To Lynch, housekeeping is about more than appearance. A clean terminal signals discipline, professionalism and respect for the people who work there and visit the site every day. 

“We take a lot of pride in maintaining our facility,” said Lynch. “We do our best to keep it spotless. Doesn’t matter how old our terminal is or what we’re storing, I want it looking nice, and I want it to stay that way.” 

Relationships Matter 

The Knoxville terminal also maintains close relationships with local firefighters, police officers and emergency response teams. Lynch regularly invites them onsite for tours and training exercises so they understand the facility long before an emergency could ever happen. 

“We want them to know what they’re coming into,” said Lynch. “We prioritize safety, but if something were to happen, we want to make sure there’s no confusion on site.” 

Equally as important to Lynch are the relationships built with the truck drivers and customers who pass through the terminal each day. 

“Every truck driver that comes through that gate is my boss,” said Lynch. “If they don’t show up, I don’t have a job. It’s as simple as that.” 

Lynch knows many of them by name. He asks about their families and helps them when their trucks break down. To him, customer service is not separate from the work — it is the work. 

“Treat people good and they’ll come back,” said Lynch. “You show them you appreciate them, thank them for doing their job and be there to help them when they need help. It makes your life easier, and it’s just the right thing to do.” 

More Than a Workplace 

One of Lynch’s clearest memories from the transition to Ergon came shortly after the acquisition, when Mr. Lampton visited Knoxville and took employees and their spouses out to dinner. 

“Mr. Lampton really impressed me when he came up here and took all of us to the nicest restaurant in Knoxville,” said Lynch. “We had a great meal, and before he spoke, he went around to every table, introduced himself and spent time talking with all of us and our wives. He wanted everyone to feel included and informed, and that went a long way so early in the acquisition.” 

To Lynch, moments like that reinforced something he had already begun to believe — that despite the changes happening around the terminal, the company still valued relationships and people. 

“It just got better,” Lynch said of the transition. “It empowered us, and we felt more responsible to take ownership.” 

That mentality became one of the defining principles of Lynch’s career. 

“They told me to run it like I own it,” said Lynch. “And that’s what I’ve always tried to do.” 

Charlie’s Next Chapter 

After nearly five decades at the Knoxville terminal, Lynch now looks toward retirement with the same hands-on mindset that defined his career. When asked about his plans, Lynch already had everything figured out. 

“I’m really looking forward to spending time with my wife, first and foremost. Being home more often is going to be a blessing. And, I’ll enjoy playing with my street rods,” he said. “I buy and refurbish older models in a shop I built myself. That’ll be fun, and I’m excited to have the time to teach my grandkids about cars.” 

As Lynch prepares for retirement, he reflects on his time at the Knoxville terminal with gratitude.  

“I thank God for it,” said Lynch. “It gave me a good job to raise my kids and grandkids. And Mr. Lampton always treated me like I was somebody — not just a number.” 

The terminal changed over the years. The industry has changed, too. However, the mindset Charlie Lynch brought to the job never did: Take care of your people, take pride in the work and leave things better than you found them.  

The Story of Adoption: Creating a Lifeline of Love

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At Ergon, we are a family company. Through impactful service, community outreach and even casual conversations in the halls, we foster a culture that reflects what family means — support, connection and care. For many of us, those values are deeply personal and often shaped by real-life experiences, including adoption.

In this episode of Ergon Talks, The Story of Adoption: Creating a Lifeline of Love, we explore how adoption reflects the many ways families are formed and strengthened. In Part 1, host Stephanie Poole sits down with Dwayne Johnson and Hunter Ainsworth to share how adoption has impacted their lives and families in meaningful ways. In Part 2, the conversation continues with Lee Lampton, who reflects on our Founder, Leslie Lampton Sr., and the role family played in shaping the culture that defines Ergon today. This series highlights the realities many individuals and families face, offering a space to connect, learn and better understand the experiences that shape our people, our culture and our commitment to one another. Click HERE to listen.

You can also listen to Ergon Talks on Apple Podcasts and Spotify!

 

The Story of Adoption: Creating a Lifeline of Love Part 1

Listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

 

The Story of Adoption: Creating a Lifeline of Love Part 2

Listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

Ergon México Joins Unidos for a Community Rally Day

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Doing Right, the Ergon Way 
By: José Leal, Vice President of Sales – Latin America

Imagine spending a Rally Day with your family and friends. Picture crossing the “Amazon River” together, navigating obstacles using only your suitcases — holding tightly to prevent the strong current from sweeping them away. Then envision solving a complex maze as a team in complete silence, communicating only through signs. Now imagine becoming a “Ninja,” jumping, crawling and running against the clock to secure valuable prizes.

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The only rule: Every single team member must participate — and have fun. This is certainly not a typical day at the office, but an unforgettable one for Ergon México.

Unidos is a nonprofit association in Mexico dedicated to promoting the full integration of people with special needs into the community through meaningful activities. Their mission is to foster a culture of empathy, respect and participation.

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From the moment the Rally Day event began, our Ergon México Community Reach Team was welcomed with warmth and enthusiasm. Participants were eager to take on every activity we had prepared. No challenge seemed impossible. As we developed strategies and completed each stage, we were deeply moved by the reflections and words of wisdom shared by the participants about what they had learned.

Their joy was genuine and heartfelt. The gratitude expressed toward the Ergon México Team and our families resonated profoundly with all of us. It was an experience that touched our hearts and reminded us why community engagement matters.

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Unidos hosted a Sensitivity Workshop for our team to better understand how to engage respectfully and effectively with individuals with special needs. This experience encouraged honest reflection, strengthened our awareness and reinforced our commitment to inclusion.

Giving back to our community — offering our time, the most valuable gift we can share — had a lasting impact on us and our families. Looking back on that day brings us right back to those moments when we lived out Ergon’s Core Values of Empowered Service and Respectful Relationships at their very best.

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Special thanks to the Ergon México Community Reach Team — Eva De Garay, Perla Peloche and Jazmin Bernardino — for their enthusiasm and dedication in organizing this meaningful initiative. We are already looking forward to the next one.

Mississippi Students Visit Ergon Asia Facility

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In December 2025, 11 University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) students and faculty boarded a plane for an unforgettable opportunity to tour Ergon Asia — gaining insights into the oil and gas industry and learning why engineering and supply chain professions are vital.

“It’s impactful to see how Ergon has successfully expanded its reach overseas. Observing its international presence gave me a new perspective on how interconnected global markets operate,” said Tyneah Buckley, a junior electrical engineering major at Ole Miss. She hails from the Magnolia State Capital — Jackson, Mississippi.

As part of Ergon’s commitment to invest in future leaders, our company partners with an international program, Global Academic Ventures, which coordinates educational industry tours around the world.

“We welcome opportunities to engage with schools and universities whenever there’s a strong educational purpose,” said Henry Chua, Operations Manager for Ergon Asia. “Our goal is to provide students with firsthand exposure into how international companies operate and to inspire them to consider the many career paths available in industries like ours.”

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Touring Ergon Asia
Amid the excitement of the curious group of students arriving at the U.S. Embassy in Singapore, Phyllicia Ong, Marketing Specialist for Ergon Asia, reflected on their enthusiasm from the moment she and Henry picked them up to head to the facility.

“I distinctly remember a student speaking up and sharing what she knew of Ergon’s history and operations,” she said. “That set the tone for the tour. From the start, it was clear the students were eager to understand how a global business like Ergon operates, even thousands of miles from our Mississippi headquarters.”

After arriving at Ergon Asia, the students met the terminal team, viewed a mandatory safety video and attended presentations offering a comprehensive overview of operations, logistics and the supply chain processes that connect to our global network.

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“Seeing the students deeply engaged in the presentations and some furiously scribbling notes showed their genuine interest in what goes on behind the scenes,” Phyllicia said.

The tour then continued on foot.

“They saw where we blend and store the oil, and they met the terminal team. We also explained how we manage customer relationships, navigate international regulations and adapt to shifting market demands,” Henry added.

The experience was designed not only to highlight the technical side of our operations, but also how we strive to meet needs and serve customers with strategic decision-making every day.

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“The students were completely absorbed — taking in towering storage tanks, some with heating elements; the massive loading and unloading area for ships; and a sprawling, highly sophisticated network of pipes feeding products into storage,” Phyllicia added.

The Ole Miss Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship partners with Ergon through its family business initiatives. Tong Meng, Director of Programs at the center and study abroad faculty member, shared her excitement about students touring a third-generation Mississippi-based company.

“It was an eye-opening and transformative experience for many of them,” Tong said. “It showed that it’s not just companies from big cities on the coast that can have a global presence. This demonstrated that Mississippi-based companies like Ergon can compete, adapt and lead globally.”

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Building a Generation of Industry Leaders
Investing in youth education and our future talent pipeline doesn’t begin when someone joins the Ergon family — it starts much earlier.

“Our industry is dynamic, innovative and full of opportunities,” said Lance Puckett, Executive Vice President – Energy & Specialty Solutions. “I hope these students see how our work touches communities everywhere — fueled by collaboration and a commitment to continuous improvement. Those qualities will serve them well no matter where their careers take them. By engaging with future leaders, we’re investing in the next generation of innovators who will shape the future of energy and specialty solutions.”

“Real-world operations involve logistical, financial and operational challenges that add complexity beyond what textbooks can capture. Learning about this has kindled my interest in pursuing international career opportunities,” Tyneah said.

By providing hands-on experiences, we help students connect the dots between classroom learning and real-world application — providing them with an understanding that goes far beyond the textbook.

MOGoil Earns 2025 EcoVadis Badge

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In December 2025, our MOGoil Team received a 2025 EcoVadis Bronze Badge, MOGoil’s first medal distinction since participating in the EcoVadis evaluation. This recognition places us among the top 35% of all evaluated companies and reflects our commitment to sustainable and responsible business practices.

Ergon’s involvement with EcoVadis, a leading global sustainability rating platform, also demonstrates our commitment to support our customers in reaching their sustainability goals. Ergon companies have received EcoVadis ratings since 2014, and we remain dedicated to Doing Right with our products, for our planet, by our people and through our principles.

View the official EcoVadis information on MOGoil and other companies within Ergon’s Energy & Specialty Solutions business segment below:

More information on these and other sustainability initiatives can be found in our Doing Right Report, which you can view and download here: https://ergon.com/sustainability.

25 Years of Partnership: Ergon Trucking and Southern Ionics

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“Once They Tell You They’re Going To Do It, You Can Forget About It.”
Founded in the 1980s in Mobile, Alabama, Southern Ionics is a leading producer and supplier of aluminum, sulfur, ammonia and zirconium products. These products are used in a broad range of applications, including the production of safe drinking water, the removal of pollutants from the air and as a catalyst for clean fuels.

Delivering tens of thousands of loads annually, Southern Ionics handles over 90% of these deliveries in-house.

But where do they turn when it’s time to bring in outside help?

Who can Southern Ionics count on to provide the same level of service their customers have come to expect?

The answer is Ergon Trucking (Ergon). The partnership between Ergon and Southern Ionics began in the late ‘90s. What started as an initial trial run paved the way for decades of collaboration that the Southern Ionics team knows they can always rely on.

“From the dispatchers to the drivers to the office,” said Sam White, Transportation Manager at Southern Ionics. “The relationship that we’ve built over the past 25+ years has proven to be a true partnership. Everybody you talk to is professional, and if they tell you they’re going to do it, you can take it to the bank. They’re going to take care of it. It’ll be done as well as you would have done it with your own equipment and trucks.”

For both companies, the connection runs deeper than logistics. In many cases, frontline workers like truck drivers may be the only interaction customers have with a company. Ergon’s Founder, Leslie Lampton Sr., often said that truck drivers are the face of the business.

The Southern Ionics team shares that belief — and it’s one of the reasons the partnership continues to thrive.

“We take a lot of pride in the people we hire,” said White. “And I think it’s obvious Ergon does the same thing.”

When Last-Minute Projects Call, Ergon Answers
“I’ll tell you about our first experience with Ergon,” said White. “We have a barge terminal in Columbus, Ohio, and we were supplying caustic soda by truckload and rail to a customer there. That customer was using product really fast. The rail cars couldn’t keep up. I called a guy and said, ‘Man, you know anybody that’s got any trucks?’”

“He sent two owner-operators up from Petal, Mississippi, and they hauled nonstop for three days. Ergon came through, and they did an unbelievable job. That was the start of our partnership, and it was obvious early on that they were going to do what they said they were going to do,” White continued.

On another occasion, when faced with a customer who needed critical products delivered during the holidays, Southern Ionics once again turned to their trusted partner in Ergon.

“Ergon found two truck drivers who didn’t mind being away from home on Christmas,” said White. “They would load up in Lake Charles, Louisiana, go to Santa Fe Springs, California, get there the day before Christmas Eve or on Christmas Eve, and then they would have to test the product. From there, they’d leave California and drive all the way to Seattle [Washington]. It wasn’t a glamorous job, but they did that load — two trucks, every year — for several years. And we knew we could count on them to do so. Once they tell you they’re going to do it, you can forget about it.”

Built on Trust
Over the years, trust has grown into a deep, dependable partnership. The Southern Ionics team knows they can count on Ergon to provide a high-quality service without the need for micromanagement.

“You make that handoff to Ergon, and you just know they’re going to do a great job,” said White. “They take care of business, simple as that.”

Where Values Meet Action

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Season’s Givings!
Giving back has always been central to what Ergon does, and we know it cannot be achieved alone. Throughout the 2025 holiday season, Ergon donated over $361,000 to organizations and families in need. This was made possible by the dedication of our Ergon family, along with the generosity of donors and partners who share our commitment to supporting the communities we serve.

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Pink Up The Pace 5K, October 2025

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This commitment goes beyond monetary donations, however. We also invest our time, talent and resources in strengthening our communities, and we value every opportunity to volunteer, share our expertise and support causes that make a lasting impact. These larger year-end fundraisers are just one part of our efforts to support our communities. Across our global operations, our teams are investing in the places they call home, and this work will continue into the new year.

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Toys for Tots, December 2025

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Thank you to everyone who helped make this season of giving back such a success, reminding us of what we can accomplish when we come together.

Turning Miles Into Milestones

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What started as an opportunity in Flowood, Mississippi, has evolved into a global role in Singapore — nearly 9,500 miles away from home. Rhyan Plumlee is taking her passion for global work to new heights as she joins Ergon Asia’s team as Business Development and Strategy Manager. With a heart full of ambition, she leads efforts to build the incredible work of the Asia Team, explore growth opportunities, develop strategic partnerships and align regional initiatives.

After relocating to Singapore in October 2025, she is reflecting on her experience with the team so far. “They [Ergon Asia] truly embody Mr. Lampton’s entrepreneurial spirit — developing solutions through creativity, adapting to change and going above and beyond despite time zones and geographical barriers.” Ergon Asia has terminals in Singapore, Indonesia and Malaysia that support the entire Asia region.

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Rhyan received a warm welcome from her new colleagues at Ergon Asia.

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Building Her Legacy With Purposeful Growth
Ergon’s commitment to creating opportunities for our employees to reach their full potential is evident in Rhyan’s career journey. In 2021, she joined the Ergon family as a Strategic Market Analyst supporting the Energy & Specialty Solutions (ESS) business segment. Later, she stepped into the role of Global Intelligence Manager – Markets & Pricing, where she led a team of business analysts and managed market intelligence operations to support international and regional sales teams.

But it wasn’t the job that kept her with Ergon, it was the heart of the company. “I realized that Ergon truly cares about its people, and I found the company’s Core Values — Empowered Service, Selfless Leadership, Respectful Relationships and Purposeful Growth — fascinating,” she shared. “Unlike many companies that simply list values, they are genuinely lived out at Ergon.”

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In 2024, Rhyan volunteered at the American Heart Association STEM Goes Red Event in Jackson, Mississippi.

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She credits our culture for helping establish a strong relationship with our international teams in Asia. Through Empowered Service and Respectful Relationships, she discovered her passion for global operations — a passion so deep that it motivated her to accept the opportunity of working more directly with these teams. “Moving across the world is never a small decision. This was a chance to step outside my comfort zone and learn from new perspectives,” Rhyan continued.

And like any life-changing career decision, it’s more than just signing paperwork. When the position was offered, Rhyan leaned on the guidance of her family, mentors and colleagues.

“It’s truly a blessing. Purposeful Growth is fostered by the people who challenge you, guide you and celebrate with you along the way. My family and friends have been amazing, and I couldn’t do this without them,” she expressed with gratitude. “I also want to acknowledge my colleagues from the ESS business segment: Gerardo Maldonado, Jay Coleman, Traci Forrest, Rusty Sammons, Chris Marquette, Juan Acosta and Dakota Wilson. Thank you, all!”

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Rhyan’s Mississippi team dressed like her every day during her last week at Ergon Headquarters.

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Planting Seeds of Inspiration
Our commitment to investing in leaders of tomorrow begins with our people. Rhyan is recognized for her innovative contributions to STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) with Ergon. Her story is a powerful reminder to youth interested in STEM-based careers that the sky is the limit. “I’m so glad I can be a role model for youth and especially young girls, showing them that they can achieve anything they want in STEM or any other field they set their minds to,” she said.

Rhyan steps into her new chapter with an impactful statement: “Dream big, embrace the unknown and take opportunities. Push beyond your comfort zone, and you’ll discover both the world and yourself.”

Consistency in Culture: The Heart of Ergon’s Success

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Read Executive Vice President – Integrated Services & Logistics Joel Pastorek‘s latest LinkedIn article, as shown below, sharing the role that Ergon’s culture plays in our success.

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I recently had the opportunity to meet with members of our Ergon Oil Purchasing (EOP) and Ergon Midstream Teams. The meeting reminded me that at the heart of our company are the people who make it all happen — men and women whose dedication and collaboration define Ergon’s culture and drive our success. While our industry evolves and our operations grow increasingly complex, one thing remains constant: the strength and consistency of our culture.

Chris Eldridge, Operations Manager – EOP, began his journey at Ergon right out of college as a Maintenance Engineer. Since then, he has held several roles within our Integrated Services & Logistics and Pavement & Coating Resources business segments. Today, he manages all logistics for the upstream and midstream operations of both Ergon refineries, overseeing transportation and scheduling while working closely with our Commercial Team to ensure uninterrupted refinery operations.

“Most people don’t realize how much collaboration and logistics go into keeping the oil and gas industry running smoothly,” Eldridge said. “It’s not just drilling and refining — it’s coordinating transportation, storage, scheduling and regulatory compliance. A single delay in one part of the chain can affect multiple operations.”

Behind these operations is a team of people who rely on one another daily. It’s this shared sense of responsibility and teamwork that keeps our operations running efficiently, allowing Ergon to meet the needs of our customers and partners.

This sentiment is echoed by Darden Bourne, Senior Crude Trader – EOP, who believes Ergon’s culture will carry the company through any future changes. “I can’t guess exactly what the future will look like, but we know things will change,” Bourne said. “Not only will there be changes in our industry, but every new generation of employees will bring a new set of skills. However, Ergon’s values run deep. And it’s our teamwork and shared commitment that allow us to adapt and thrive, no matter where technology or the market take us.”

Aaron Fleming, Vice President of Commercial – Ergon Midstream, offered his perspective on what makes Ergon unique. After more than 14 years in commercial and operations roles across the industry, he joined Ergon through our EnLink Ohio River Valley (now Ergon Midstream) acquisition in 2023. “Throughout my career, I was always impressed by Ergon’s emphasis on people,” Fleming said. “I saw early on that the family culture set Ergon apart from peers, and I’m grateful to be part of that today.”

The common thread among these stories is clear: while our industry evolves, the consistency of Ergon’s culture remains steadfast. It is the dedication, collaboration and drive of our employees — eager to make a difference for customers, communities and each other — that enable us to navigate change successfully.

“When I started, the company was much smaller, and I couldn’t have imagined the level of growth, expansion and operational complexity we’ve achieved,” Eldridge reflected. “Seeing how far we’ve come and being part of that journey has been both surprising and rewarding.”

At Ergon, no matter how complex our operations or how fast the industry moves, our culture is the constant that guides us. It is our shared values, teamwork and commitment to excellence that ensure we continue to thrive together, today and into the future.