With 67 combined years of work experience, the four women working in dispatch run the department like a well-oiled machine. The dispatch department assists in the vital role of delivering MFA Oil products where they need to go. Sandy Jackson, product distribution manager, and her team are focused on providing service to customers in a timely manner, as well as finding the most efficient way to save the company unnecessary expenses.
“Everything you think you know in dispatch today will change tomorrow,” Jackson says. “Nothing is ever black and white in this department. With each new call comes a different challenge that keeps us on our toes while we figure out the best solution.”
Dispatch focuses on ensuring carriers don’t encounter any issues while delivering fuel loads to company locations. Dispatch assigns their carriers with product pickup sites in more than 13 states. The department aids in the transport of roughly 24 million gallons of refined oil each month to a combination of bulk plants, propane plants and MFA Oil customers. Carriers are assigned to their terminal based upon where the closest site is located and the most economical cost of the product. In addition, it depends on which terminal has product available for the carrier to load.
“The biggest issue we see in dispatch is when carriers are unable to fully unload product at the sites we assigned them due to storage issues,” Jackson says. “We then have to scramble to provide the carrier with an alternative delivery site for the rest of the fuel, which is usually at a bulk plant.”
Dispatch receives between 50-60 calls a day and numerous emails during planting season and harvest, which are the busiest times of year for the department. Many of these calls are due to problems encountered by customers who may have placed an order too large to fit in their storage tanks. Other problems may originate if the customer accidently places an order for the wrong type of product.
“The people in this department care deeply about doing their jobs right,” says Paul Samp, dispatch manager. “The fact that they are able to juggle so much information and logistics effortlessly is impressive to me.”
In addition to keeping the company’s refined fuel and propane storage locations well stocked, dispatch is directly responsible for maintaining adequate fuel inventory for the company’s Break Time stores.
“We track Break Time’s inventory to ensure the stores don’t run out of fuel,” Jackson says. “When we see a store’s fuel inventory is running low, we will dispatch one of our carriers to refill its supply.”
As MFA Oil has grown over the years, the dispatch department has as well. Originally, the department started with Jackson and Diane Hudson, but gradually expanded to include four dispatchers to handle the flood of incoming calls.
“I’ve seen lots of changes over the years and watched a lot of people come and go,” Jackson says. “With so many calls and so much to do, it’s quite an exciting department to work in.”
Although challenges continue to pop up every day, one thing remains the same – the dispatch department is only one call or email away and is always ready to solve any fuel delivery problems that may be encountered.
Get to Know the Dispatch Department
Sandy Jackson
product distribution manager
Sandy has been with MFA Oil for the past 40 years. She first worked as a sales clerk then an assistant supervisor in the sales processing department before transferring to dispatch. In dispatch, Sandy worked as a dispatcher before becoming a manager. Originally from Englewood, Mo., Sandy has been married for 41 years and has two children.
What one word would your friends/family use to describe you? Honest.
What is your biggest pet peeve? People who pass you when driving so they can turn off at the next exit ½ mile up the road.
Where is the most interesting place you’ve traveled? Canada.
Diane Hudson
senior dispatcher
Originally from St. Louis, Diane was in the Navy before working at MFA Oil for 30 years. She previously worked in the accounts receivable department before joining dispatch. Diane has been married for 42 years and has two children.
Where would you spend all of your time if you could? Anywhere with my grandkids.
What are three interesting facts about yourself? I love working with dogs. I was in the Navy. I hate shopping.
What three words would you use to describe yourself? Easygoing, funny, tall.
Kai-Li Kirschner, senior dispatcher
Kai-Li previously worked with AT&T Mobility before joining MFA Oil in 2015. Originally from Marceline, Mo., Kai-Li graduated from the University of Missouri.
What’s on your bucket list? Traveling as much as possible. There are many places I’d like to see, but especially the Redwood National Forest.
What do you like to do in your free time? Spending time with family and friends outdoors, hiking with Mya (my dog), camping, floating and any recreational sports.
What three words would you use to describe yourself? Determined, honest, loyal.
Emily Fisher
senior dispatcher
A lifelong Columbia resident, Emily graduated from Columbia College in 2010 with a bachelor’s degree in both human resources management and business administration. Previously, Emily managed the Heidelberg, a downtown Columbia restaurant, for 10 years. Emily has worked with MFA Oil for 3 ½ years, first as an accounts receivable clerk before moving to the dispatch department. Emily is married with one son and expecting another child in August.
What is your favorite holiday? Thanksgiving.
What has been your favorite family vacation? Acadia National Park in Maine.
Who is the most famous person you’ve met? Lewis Black.