Charity Cook Named 2023-2024 AEMA LEAP Dean

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Congratulations to Ergon’s Paragon Technical Services (Paragon) Group Leader Charity Cook on being named the 2023-2024 Dean of the Asphalt Emulsion Manufacturers Association (AEMA) Leadership Education for Asphalt Preservation (LEAP) program.

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LEAP is a program focused on increasing knowledge and promoting a broad understanding of various facets of the asphalt industry. “The program provides a unique opportunity to delve deeper into the asphalt emulsion industry and pavement preservation, while also cultivating relationships with current and future industry leaders,” said Cook.

LEAP participants are required to attend various industry facility tours for a greater understanding of the inner workings of asphalt emulsion production, as well as complete continued education courses and contribute to AEMA publications. As Dean, Cook will oversee the work of the LEAP participants, advising and providing support as they advance through the program. “As a former LEAP student, I can provide a unique perspective on how participants can take advantage of the resources available to them and get the most out of this program,” she said.

Prior to becoming Dean, Cook served as part of the inaugural LEAP class alongside other industry representatives, including Paragon’s Ty Hughes and Ergon Asphalt & Emulsions’ Cade Sherman and Ernesto Santillan.

“Asphalt emulsions have been used over 100 years and are still thriving,” said Cook. “As much as is known about asphalt and asphalt emulsions, there is still so much more to explore. I look forward to immersing myself in this exploration and contributing to the body of knowledge on this material.”

Cook joined Paragon in 2016. In her current role as Group Leader, she works alongside fellow Paragon chemists in the asphalt emulsion lab to support Ergon Asphalt & Emulsions facilities through troubleshooting, existing product optimization, and new product development and research. Cook is also responsible for task delegation, training, lab supervision, record maintenance, and data review and analysis. She attended Millsaps College in Jackson, Mississippi, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry.

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Ergon encourages employees to participate in associations to not only strengthen skill sets but to contribute to a greater cause that impacts the industries we serve. Additionally, the growth and success of our employees allows us to maintain our reputation as a resource that provides high-value solutions for customers in these industries. That’s what we call Purposeful Growth.

Learn more about how we encourage the Purposeful Growth of our family of employees.

About Paragon

Paragon is Ergon’s state-of-the-art product development laboratory with an expert team that specializes in designing, developing and testing formulations manufactured by various Ergon companies as well as external customers.

Celebrating Women in STEM – Meet Melinda and Monica

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For International Day of Women and Girls in Science (February 11), we highlight two women within the Ergon family of companies who have turned their passion for STEM into impactful careers at Crafco Inc.

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Crafco Inc., an Ergon company, is the world’s leading manufacturer of packaged pavement preservation products that seal, protect, repair, strengthen, preserve and extend the service life of infrastructure worldwide. Two of Ergon’s many women in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math), Monica Maschue and Melinda Baier have used their skill sets in these areas to help maintain the quality of Crafco’s products. Read about them and their views on women pursuing careers in STEM below.

Melinda Baier
Baier is Crafco’s Materials Quality Assurance Manager. In this role, Baier is responsible for employing scientific methods and information to critique, interpret, construct and connect physical systems in order to ensure Total Quality Management (TQM) for materials produced at Crafco’s specialty sealant plants. TQM involves quality control, quality assurance, product testing and other measures to ensure the highest quality products and customer satisfaction.

Baier has always been passionate about the sciences, finding genetics and physics most appealing. With a desire to be a horse vet since childhood, she earned an Animal Sciences – Pre-Veterinarian degree from Auburn University. That is, until her aspirations shifted and led her to a career in research and formulations at Abbott Laboratories. “With my degree, I had extensive education in chemistry and microbiology, which I was able to take advantage of during my time with Abbott.”

In addition to her background in science, Baier also attended Better Process Control School at Michigan State University, and she earned Project Management and Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certifications from Arizona State University. She is now able to apply her extensive education in her current role to ensure efficient, quality production at Crafco facilities.

When asked why women should pursue careers in science and STEM in general, she commented: “When women pursue careers in STEM, we are helping to diversify companies and close the gender gap in these careers. Sometimes you have to be the only girl or woman in the room, and that’s OK. Don’t be afraid to bring your own chair to the table.”

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Monica Maschue
Monica Maschue is Crafco’s Specialty Products Engineer (SPE) responsible for the company’s asphalt roofing and waterproofing products. Specifically, she helps evaluate formulations, monitor raw materials, track product quality, and oversee production adjustments and resolve quality issues as needed.

Maschue has always been interested in math and science and wanted to pursue an analytical career. “I was drawn to engineering as a college major because of my interests in math and science and the vast opportunities an engineering degree would provide.”  Maschue earned her degree in Chemical Engineering from Villanova University in Pennsylvania. She joined Crafco in 2014 and has been able to apply her STEM interests and her knack for numbers, as she calls it, to a rewarding career with a significant role in quality control and, ultimately, the customer satisfaction journey.

On why it is important for women to pursue STEM careers and why companies should create opportunities to embrace anyone with STEM interests, Maschue said: “Diversity in your workforce can create a greater diversity of ideas, perspectives and experiences within industries, ultimately leading to more unique solutions. Creating welcoming environments that allow everyone with strong interest and aptitude in STEM the opportunity to pursue those goals, regardless of gender, is a net positive for everyone.”

Read about other women in STEM at Ergon HERE.

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If you’re interested in working for a company that allows you to pursue your interests and make a difference, visit ergon.com/careers.

Ergon’s Mark Ishee Elected President of FP2 Inc.

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Mark Ishee, Vice President of Pavement Preservation & Specialty Products for Ergon Asphalt & Emulsions (EAE), has been elected President of FP2 Inc.

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Mark Ishee joined the Ergon family 42 years ago and has held various roles, including the distinction of being EAE’s original Technical Marketing Manager. His dedication to helping agencies understand how to get maximum performance out of their roadways through strategic and cost-effective pavement preservation and maintenance practices has earned him a reputation for being a dependable resource in the quest to improve infrastructure throughout the U.S.

ABOUT FP2
Formerly known as the Foundation for Pavement Preservation, FP2 supports the adoption of pavement preservation at all levels of government and works to ensure that pavement preservation becomes a part of road programs from coast-to-coast. It also supports valuable research in pavement preservation and works in close cooperation with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), the National Center for Pavement Preservation (NCPP), and regional pavement preservation partnerships and state-based pavement preservation centers.

For years, Ishee has upheld Ergon’s mission to meet needs and serve customers by extending his knowledge of pavement preservation, serving as a resource to various associations within the asphalt industry. His work with FP2 began in 2004. He has since served on various committees and task forces and held roles such as secretary/treasurer, vice president and now president of the organization. In addition to his contributions to FP2, Ishee has also served in varying capacities with the International Slurry Surfacing Association and held multiple roles with the Asphalt Emulsions Manufacturers Association, including president (2017 – 2019).

Read the FULL RELEASE here:  https://www.constructionequipmentguide.com/mark-ishee-is-new-president-of-fp2/59803.

 

Ergon’s Griffin Burk Named Chair of ASTM D27.01 Subcommittee

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Congratulations to Griffin Burk, Ph.D., senior research chemist at Ergon Inc., on being named chair of the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) D27.01 Subcommittee.

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D27.01 is a Subcommittee of the ASTM Committee D27 on Electrical Insulating Liquids and Gases, which provides specifications and test methods for all types of insulating liquids. ASTM D27.01 covers the mineral insulating liquids standards, including Standard D3487, which provides specifications for unused mineral insulating liquids; Standard D5222, which provides specifications for unused less flammable high molecular weight hydrocarbon mineral electrical insulating liquids; and a new standard, Standard D8180 (approved January 1, 2023) which provides specifications for re-refined mineral insulating liquids.

About ASTM
ASTM International, chartered in 1902, publishes production and testing standards covering a variety of materials, systems and products in order to encourage safety and consistency among manufacturers. It has grown to encompass over 12,500 standards and more than 30,000 members.

Ergon’s Commitment to ASTM
Prior to Burk’s appointment to chair, ASTM D27.01 had been under the chairmanship of long-time Ergon employee Jimmy Rasco since 2004. Prior to his retirement, Rasco was instrumental in shepherding important standards and was the recipient of ASTM’s 2011 Distinguished Service Award, the 2015 Charles A. Johnson Award, and ASTM D27’s top annual award  — the Award of Merit, which he received in 2017.

“Ergon has a deep history in the D27.01 Subcommittee,” said Burk, who played an active role in the group for over a year before being appointed chair. “I have some pretty big shoes to fill, but I am ready for the challenge and excited about being able to contribute to the global market on behalf of Ergon.”

Burk joins Ed Casserly, Ph.D., senior scientist at Ergon, as part of the ASTM D27 Executive Committee. Casserly currently serves as vice-chair of ASTM D27.

As senior research chemist at Ergon, Burk serves as part of the technical team responsible for developing and helping to maintain the quality of the company’s products worldwide. His main area of focus is Ergon’s HyVolt brand of dielectric fluids developed to meet insulation and cooling needs in electrical equipment applications. Products that fall under ASTM D27 include HyVolt® II mineral insulating liquid (ASTM D3487), HyVolt® NE natural ester insulating liquid (ASTM D6871), and HyVolt® SE synthetic ester insulating liquid (ASTM D8240). Burk is a graduate of Mississippi College and earned a Ph.D. in chemistry from Mississippi State University.

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The Ergon family of employees is encouraged to contribute time and service to associations relevant to our business in order to grow personally while carrying out our legacy of nurturing thought leaders who positively impact the industries we serve. Want to work for a company that wants you to grow? Visit our careers page for job openings.

Ergon to Decrease Naphthenic Prices in North America

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FLOWOOD, Miss. — Ergon has announced decreases in pricing of naphthenic oils in the North American market effective Monday, January 16, 2023:

  • Ergon’s HyPrene Process Oils, HyGold Base Oils and HyPrint Ink Oils will be reduced by $0.30 per gallon
  • HyVolt Dielectric Fluids will be reduced by $0.20 per gallon

About Ergon
Ergon is a group of privately held companies that operate under six primary business segments: Refining & Marketing, Specialty Chemicals, Asphalt & Emulsions, Oil & Gas, Midstream & Logistics, and Construction & Real Estate.

Contact Information
Kathy Potts
Vice President – Marketing Communications
601-933-3000
kathy.potts@ergon.com
ergon.com |  ergonspecialtyoils.com

Yulia Austin Named Ergon EVP & Chief Human Resources Officer

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Yulia Austin joined Ergon as Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) on December 19, 2022. She will be based at Ergon’s headquarters in Flowood, Mississippi.

The creation of the new CHRO role extends from our commitment to Doing Right by Our People. We are investing in present and future generations, working to improve Ergon’s family business culture as we continue to grow the business.

Yulia has over 20 years of experience leading human resource efforts for major industry organizations. Most recently, she served as Chief Human Resources Officer at Acuren, which has 80 locations and 6,000 employees throughout North America and the United Kingdom. She has also held senior roles with Ingersoll Rand, Cameron and Baker Hughes companies. Yulia has a master’s degree in human resources development from Oklahoma State University and a bachelor’s degree in journalism and media from Azerbaijan State University.

She will be responsible for further evolving Ergon’s human resources strategy and operations, including talent management, recruitment, leadership development, compensation, benefits and payroll.

In her first six months on the job, Yulia will focus on learning about Ergon’s business landscape and operations as she travels to facilities in the U.S. and Mexico, meeting with as many people as possible.

Please join me in welcoming Yulia to the Ergon family.

Kris Patrick
President & CEO
Ergon Inc.

Ergon Sets HyVolt Field Fill Record

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Field fills — the timely delivery of dielectric fluids necessary to power our world — are complicated endeavors. Thousands of gallons of highly sensitive insulating liquid are delivered to often remote, unfamiliar field sites on time and on spec. Even though product is the same as what is delivered to a manufacturing facility, the service level required to successfully coordinate a field fill, often on very short notice, requires an experienced infrastructure of both people and assets.

This ability to mobilize large volumes of material quickly and coordinate delivery, all the while ensuring the sensitive product is protected and retains its performance characteristics, is what HyVolt’s customers rely on Ergon for every day.

As the largest provider of dielectric fluids in the United States, Ergon has earned a reputation for successfully meeting customers’ field fill needs. Team members involved include representatives from our Petroleum Specialties Marketing Division, Customer Service, Operations, Billing, the Lab at Ergon Refining in Vicksburg, Mississippi, and Ergon Trucking.

In October of 2022, Ergon celebrated a record-breaking month with more HyVolt field fill gallons delivered than ever before.

Customers know they can rely on timely coordination and support from Ergon to successfully complete the field fill process. And with our recently expanded HyVolt product line, more options are available to customers around the world. Learn more about transformer field fills at ergonspecialtyoils.com.

Ergon Sets HyVolt Field Fill Record

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Field fills — the timely delivery of dielectric fluids necessary to power our world — are complicated endeavors. Thousands of gallons of highly sensitive insulating liquid are delivered to often remote, unfamiliar field sites on time and on spec. Even though product is the same as what is delivered to a manufacturing facility, the service level required to successfully coordinate a field fill, often on very short notice, requires an experienced infrastructure of both people and assets.

This ability to mobilize large volumes of material quickly and coordinate delivery, all the while ensuring the sensitive product is protected and retains its performance characteristics, is what HyVolt’s customers rely on Ergon for every day.

As the largest provider of dielectric fluids in the United States, Ergon has earned a reputation for successfully meeting customers’ field fill needs. Team members involved include representatives from our Petroleum Specialties Marketing Division, Customer Service, Operations, Billing, the Lab at Ergon Refining in Vicksburg, Mississippi, and Ergon Trucking.

In October of 2022, Ergon celebrated a record-breaking month with more HyVolt field fill gallons delivered than ever before.

Customers know they can rely on timely coordination and support from Ergon to successfully complete the field fill process. And with our recently expanded HyVolt product line, more options are available to customers around the world. Learn more about transformer field fills at ergonspecialtyoils.com.

Ergon Employees Giving Back to Communities

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From fundraising events involving entire facilities to individual efforts, employees throughout the Ergon family give generously of their time, talents and blessings to help their communities and people in need.

One great example is the Marine Corps Toys for Tots Program, which Ergon’s Information Technology Department began supporting in 2017 and now is an annual fundraising event for the corporate office. According to Jana Branham, Ergon Executive Vice President and Chief Information Officer, “We love this charity because it meets needs of the community where we live and serve … and all the donations go directly to children in need.” When Ergon’s CEO asked for ideas for giving back to communities on an enterprise-wide level, Jana suggested Toys for Tots, and employees in the corporate office were quick to join in.

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Each year, employees have an opportunity to purchase toys or provide monetary donations for a toy drive on behalf of the program. Ergon has matched employee donations annually. This year, Ergon was proud to present a check to Toys for Tots for $17,299.71, bringing the total contributions since 2020 to $49,182.58.

Not only do employees donate toys and money, but they really get in the Christmas spirit to encourage each other to participate. Groups of Ergon Elves volunteer to collect donations while others volunteer to shop for toys for children from newborn to age 12. Outside of corporate efforts, volunteers from various Ergon locations also support the Toys for Tots Program, like Juan Torres, who helps set up toy drives in Texas on behalf of the organization.

In addition to Toys for Tots, Ergon employees volunteer their time and resources to support a wide variety of causes, just a few of which are listed at the end of this story.

Ergon’s Refining & Marketing segment is living out company values through a variety of initiatives. Employees at Ergon – West Virginia in Newell, West Virginia, committed to increasing their number of work-sponsored community service hours from 180 to approximately 300 in 2023. Ergon Refining in Vicksburg, Mississippi, has already surpassed their 2023 goal of 1,000 hours, which comes to five hours per employee.

The R&M Mirror Lake Plaza team developed a Community Outreach Program which offers at least four community outreach events each quarter. Their goal for 2023 is 400 volunteer hours and $25,000 in charitable giving. Recently, the group spent time at the Boys & Girls Club of America in Jackson, Mississippi, where they hosted a career panel. Nine Ergon employees were able to share their respective career paths and encourage, inspire and pour into more than 30 teens and preteens.

The American Cancer Society (ACS) is another important charity to members of the Ergon family — especially Larry Tomkins, Vice President – Southeast Region for Ergon Asphalt & Emulsions (EAE). Larry has championed the Ergon family in raising $150,000 for ACS in the ongoing campaign for breast cancer research and patient support. EAE recently launched the Road to Recovery campaign, partnering with companies within the asphalt industry to ensure the provision of complimentary rides for cancer patients to get to their treatments.

As our CEO, Kris Patrick, mentioned in his recent message in Ergon’s Doing Right Report, “More dots on Ergon maps and more products in our portfolios are exciting, but I believe even more important is the positive impact we have on the lives of people around the world. May we never lose our focus on the fact that while we should strive to be profitable in our business, our higher calling is to impact the lives of employees, customers and communities we serve in a positive way.”

Happiest of Holidays from the Ergon Family!

Some of the causes supported by Ergon employees:
Adopt-A-Highway
Andre House
Baptist Children’s Village
Boys & Girls Clubs
Broadway Wharf Cleanup
Canopy Children’s Solutions
Chambers of Commerce
Chester and Newell, WV, Volunteer Fire Departments
Children’s Hospital of Mississippi
City of Chester Beautification Committee
Dempsey Centers for Quality Cancer Care
Extra Table
Feeding America
Gracious Givers of Arizona
Habitat for Humanity
House of Grace
Hurricane Disaster Relief Efforts
Idaho Coastal Conservation Association
International Ballet Competition
Jackson, Mississippi, Water Relief
La Vernia Community Food Bank
Mentoring College Students
Mississippi Blood Services
Mountaineer Food Bank
Rescue Mission of the Mahonig Valley
Salvation Army Family Store
Shower Power
Stewpot Community Services
Sunnybrook Children’s Home
Supporting Local First Responders
Teaching STEM Classes at Richland
Upper Elementary
The Brightside Project
The Lily Pad Foundation
The Little Light House, Central Mississippi
Title 1 School Volunteer Programs
Toys for Tots
Truckers Against Trafficking
Valley of the Sun United Way
Vicksburg Warren College and Career Academies
Vicksburg Warren Economic Development Foundation
Warren Central High School Life Skills Class
Youth Outdoors Unlimited

Purposeful Growth Profile: John Finley Achieves Safety Certifications

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We believe the Purposeful Growth of our family of employees lends to our continued success in the industries we serve. That’s why Ergon management encourages employees to seek opportunities to grow professionally. We want every employee, from the veteran to the new hire, to feel empowered to reach their potential and be the best they can be. In this Purposeful Growth Profile, we highlight the recent accomplishments of John Finley, Senior Environmental, Health & Safety Technician for the Operational Excellence Department at Ergon – West Virginia (EWV).

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John Finley recently completed courses at West Virginia University to become a Certified Safety Specialist – General Industry and a Certified Safety Trainer – General Industry.

While these highly sought-after certifications are not required for John’s position, he took the initiative to seek out and complete the courses to further educate himself and also to further impact Ergon’s goal for every employee to return home safe every day. “John truly embodies the values of Purposeful Growth and Empowered Service,” said Jack Azar, EWV Continuous Improvement Manager. “He is a driven individual who wants to learn and grow in his position and find ways to best serve, support and ensure the safety of others.”

John’s journey to obtaining the certifications did not come without challenges, as it was interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, but he remained focused through over 150 core and elective course hours. “The courses were originally intended to be taught in person, but because of the pandemic, courses were switched to an online format,” said Chip Roush, EWV Environmental, Health & Safety Supervisor. “This was out of John’s comfort zone, but he persevered.”

John joined EWV on October 11, 2010, as an Oil Movements trainee in the Operations Department. He has since held roles as Area E Operator, Area D Operator, Health & Safety Technician and now Senior Environmental, Health & Safety Technician, overseeing the provision of safety, first aid, CPR, fire brigade, rescue and training services for EWV personnel.