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.
